OCD bats for law amendments to enhance disaster response
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Civil Defense is pushing to amend the law creating the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to improve the country’s disaster risk reduction and management program, as well as enhance the early warning system.
OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno said that this is among the agency’s three priority actions for 2025.
“Foremost of our plans is to have amendments to the law that created the NDRRMC. One of the amendments we are requesting is to allow us to create an executive committee that will be in charge of making major decisions. Currently, we need the full council to do that,” Nepomuceno said in a statement issued Saturday.
“We believe that we would be able to do more if the law will be modified,” he added.
Additionally, Nepomuceno said the OCD seeks to improve the early warning system of the country with the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Science and Technology.
He cited Thailand as an example, with over 600 towers with sirens and a public address system that tells the people updates every 10 to 15 minutes.
