Revisiting and enhancing the Philippine government’s disaster response plan ensures the country’s response system is capable of addressing multiple types of calamities and weather conditions which are exacerbated by climate change.
This was emphasized by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian before member-agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) during the launching of the National Disaster Response Plan (NRDP) 2024 on Wednesday (April 3) at the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Quezon City.
The NDRP 2024 marks the third version of the Philippines’ multi-hazard response and early recovery framework that focuses on the long-term vision of the country to build a safer, adaptive, and disaster-resilient Filipino communities toward sustainable development.
“Over the years, this framework has set the direction for our concerted disaster response and management efforts, allowing us to stay resilient through the calamities and risks exacerbated by climate change. Today, we continue to fortify our mandate in the NDRRMC as we officially unveil the NDRP 2024,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a message delivered by Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG).
The 2024 plan was prepared by the NDRRMC, particularly the members of the Response and Early Recovery Pillar led by the DSWD and the OCD, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).
The latest version outlines the updated scope, context, triggers, timelines, and improved tools to facilitate a more synchronized and effective response among NDRRMC member-agencies and stakeholders during disasters and calamities.
“Aligned with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan 2020-2030, this enhanced NDRP incorporates updated and fortified disaster response management policies, anticipatory actions, social protection strategies, and mechanisms for dissemination, monitoring, and periodic review,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
World Bank Philippines Country Director Zafer Mustafaoglu said the NDRP launching comes timely amid the quakes that were recorded in the Philippines’ neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
“The new plan will be crucial in amplifying the country’s readiness to respond in case a similar hazard strikes,” the WB Philippines Country Director said.
“We are reminded of the country’s vulnerability to earthquakes of similar magnitude. Recent disaster events and evolving risk landscape demand action, and we must be prepared, adaptable and proactive in tempering the rising frequencies and the severity of disaster and climate risks,” Director Mustafaoglu pointed out.
Also present at the launching were Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Teodoro Gatchalian; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Marlo Iringan; Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Gloria Balboa; Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Jesus Domingo; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez; Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Felix Fuentebella; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Augusto Dela Peña; Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert de Claro; and Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) Asst. Secretary Ehren Azarraga.
Other attendees include Department of Agriculture (DA) Asst. Secretary U-Nichols Manalo; Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Asst. Secretary Mary Anne Dela Vega; Department of Transportation (DOTr) Asst. Secretary Ricardo Alfonso Jr.; Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Asst. Secretary Philip Varilla; Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Police Col. Esmeraldo Osia Jr. of the Philippine National Police (PNP). (LSJ)