After ‘Ompong,’ JV Ejercito pushes for creation of Department for Disaster Management

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito on Monday pushed for the passage of a bill seeking the creation of a department for disasters and emergencies.

“In the aftermath of typhoon “Ompong” which tore through Northern Luzon over the weekend, we should immediately pass my Senate Bill No. 1553, which sought for the creation of the Department of Disaster and Emergency Management,” he said in a statement.

Ejercito said he filed the bill after super typhoon “Yolanda” hit the country in 2013, which left more than 7,300 people dead or missing. “Ompong,” meanwhile, killed 64 while 45 others are still missing as of Monday.

READ: 64 dead, 45 missing in Luzon landslides

According to Ejercito, it is “all the more timely” to pursue the bill since calamities of such magnitude are becoming the norm.

“Preparedness is the key,” the senator said.

He explained that the proposed department will deal with disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation, as well as risk reduction.

It will also take charge of integrating relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and increase the capacity of local government units in responding to emergencies, he said.

Ejercito added that creating the department will develop effective processes and policies, while sustainable resources and accountability can be established. /ee

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