By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday assured that the government is ready to respond to disasters as he signed into law two new measures aimed at “protecting the rights and providing relief” to Filipinos affected by calamities.
The President inked Republic Act (RA) No. 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act and RA No. 12077 or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act in a ceremony in Malacañang.
RA 12076 aims to establish a nationwide network of permanent and storm-resilient evacuation centers, primarily in high-risk and disaster-prone areas, designed to withstand typhoon winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and seismic activity of up to magnitude 8.0.
These evacuation centers will be fully equipped with sleeping areas, healthcare stations, sanitation facilities, and provisions for livestock.
“Investing in these climate-resilient facilities must be the norm; for we are not only protecting the people’s lives, but also capacitating our local government units to respond, to reduce, and to manage the risks of disasters,” the President said in a speech.
“Through this, we are also integrating into the very consciousness of every Filipino that preparedness is as vital as responsiveness. Whenever disaster strikes, we can and will respond,” he added.
Marcos, likewise, directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure timely completion of the centers in priority areas.
Meanwhile, RA 12077 provides financial relief to students in calamity-declared areas, allowing the deferment of loan payments for higher education and technical-vocational training programs during and after emergencies.
“It is our hope that this law will help lessen the financial burden off our students’ shoulders as they continue their schooling,” the Chief Executive said, urging the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to extend all forms of “necessary and reasonable assistance” to learners.
Senate President Francis Escudero said this piece of legislation is a “timely intervention” from the government to help curb the number of students dropping out of school due to financial constraints.
“We always see the destruction caused in the aftermath of calamities, but we often miss the other victims, the students, many of whom end up sacrificing their future because of these disasters,” Escudero said.
“This law adheres to the spirit of ‘damayan’ among Filipinos. It is the obligation of the government to ensure that each and every child has access to education and to find ways to remove any obstacles that stand in the way of her or his full education,” the Senate President added.
House Committee on Disaster Resilience chair, Rep. Alan 1 Ecleo, noted the signing of the new measures is “a win for all Filipinos” as he underscored the government’s commitment to protecting the people during and after calamities.
“While we are all affected by calamities, it is also when economic differences are highlighted. Through these bills, we ensure that no one gets left behind during disasters,” the Dinagat Island solon said in a statement.
“This is a win for all Filipinos, especially those most affected in times of crisis. Especially the poor and most vulnerable,” he added.
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