Congress is looking forward to hastening the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience as a response to recent calamities in the Philippines.
Calamities hitting the Philippines
CONGRESS – Monday will be the resume of sessions at the House of Representatives, and Congress seeks to pass a bill that will create a Department of Disaster Resilience as a response to the successive calamities hitting the Philippines recently. Among the most discussed are the typhoons during December, Strong Earthquakes in Mindanao, and Taal Volcano’s eruption.
The bill is probably the top priority in the Congress and the Senate as it resumes session, with a target approval before the body adjourns on March 13.
According to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri,
The creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience will ensure a more efficient, coordinated, and complete system of disaster management. The agency is tasked to orchestrate from risk assessment, emergency response, and up to assistance and rehabilitation.
The agency is expected to be at the forefront when it comes to disaster management. It should be quick, scientific, dedicated, and well-equipped.
Creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience
According to House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez: The creation of the new department already passed the House Committees on Government Reorganization and Disaster Management last November 20, and the funding is set to be approved by January 22.
The next step will be on the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation, where the department will be backed up by a bill to formalize its creation.
Creation of other government departments
The House of Representatives is also working out the creation of two more government agencies; Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Department of Filipino Overseas (DFO), both, along with the DDR is expected to be passed before March 13. Also, the House is also giving extra work in passing bills that will help the education system in the Philippines.
Congress is pretty much motivated to work extra after President Rodrigo Duterte urged them to pass these bills during his Last State of the Nation Address.
Time to roll up our sleeves once again and work double time on vital legislative measures.
-Romualdez
Featured image by Denver7
