PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered various government agencies on Monday to further enhance the country’s disaster preparedness to reduce the impact of calamities and avoid fatalities from natural disasters.
“Layunin natin na hindi na maulit ang pagkawala ng buhay dahil sa kalamidad.Totoo na mas matindi ang mga bagyo ngayon – mas malawak, mas malakas, mas mabilis ang pagbabago. Kaya inuulit ko ang mga kautusan sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan,” President Marcos said.
The President made the remarks during the distribution of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) in Talisay, Batangas.
Firstly, the President directed the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to improve its warning systems and closely coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to provide the public with timely information and increase alertness.
“Patuloy din ang programa ng DILG na Operation Listo — ang layon ay palakasin ang disaster preparedness ng ating mga LGU para sa paghahanda, pagtugon, at pagsusubaybay sa mga sakuna,” the President said.
To prevent flooding, especially in low-lying areas, the President also ordered the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to gradually reduce water levels in dams even before a typhoon arrives.
“Ang NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk and Management Council) at iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan ay naatasan na rin na suriin ang kanilang mga pamamaraan sa ilalim ng disaster response upang mas mabilis tayong makapaghatid ng tulong sa mga naapektuhang pamayanan.”
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), meanwhile, was urged to enhance the slope protection designs of the roads and bridges to make them more adaptable to changing climate patterns.
The President also committed to completing the Taal Lake Circumferential Road to reduce travel time between the towns of Talisay, Agoncillo, and Laurel.
The government also has a project to connect the municipalities of Lobo and San Juan.
“Dahil sa matinding pabago-bagong panahon, ang ating imprastraktura ay dapat masigurong ligtas at angkop sa gitna ng unos at iba pang sakuna. Kaya inaatasan ko na siguruhin ng DPWH na hindi lang ito matatapos sa inaasahang oras, kundi matibay at kalidad din,” the President said.
“Kaugnay nito, ang (Department of Trade and Industry) DTI naman ay kailangan suriin at tiyaking maayos ang magagandang klase ng mga materyales at ibang instrumentong gagamitin para sa mga proyektong ito,” he added.
The Chief Executive also acknowledged the Metrobank for its donation, along with the local government units, volunteers, and first responders for helping typhoon victims.
“Kanina ay namahagi rin po tayo ng mga kagamitan para sa pagpapatayo ng bahay na galing sa donasyon ng Metrobank. Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong tulong.
Sa puntong ito, nais kong pasalamatan ang pribadong sektor kasama na diyan ang Metrobank, mga kawani ng pamahalaan, mga volunteer, mga first responder na nag-alay ng kanilang kakayahan upang makatulong sa ating mga kababayan.
