Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – With the rainy season just about here and El Niño threatening to strengthen future typhoons, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin isn’t taking any chances.
“Anticipate accordingly and prepare for the rainy season and El Niño,” Gazmin said as he convened the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Wednesday.
Also in attendance were Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, NDRRMC Chief Alexander Pama, General Emmanuel Bautista, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, and Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo.
“Disaster preparedness must be done…it must be clearly defined and clearly coordinated.”
He added that offices which have been subjected to high levels of destruction should set an example in preparing in advance to prevent damage by future calamities.
On July 1, the NDRRMC, having the “primordial responsibility” of preventing loss of life during calamities, is set to implement its disaster preparedness plans.
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