By Brian Campued
As the Philippines is considered among the world’s most disaster-prone countries due to frequent exposure to tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes, the government continues to ramp up efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and response to safeguard life and property during calamities.
During his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed that the administration’s disaster response has moved on from the reactive approach and is now on a proactive and predictive framework.
According to the President, the government has established a network consisting of primary disaster resource centers in Luzon, Visayas, and soon, in Mindanao, along with 15 hubs, 76 spokes, and 919 last-mile facilities across the country.
“Because of this robust system, delivery of emergency nourishment and relief to target areas is now made possible [within] 24 hours,” the President noted.
Mobile Energy Systems are also in place to ensure power during emergencies, while Government Emergency Communications System and private sector-led satellite-to-mobile service will guarantee uninterrupted telecommunications nationwide in the event of crises and disasters.
President Marcos Jr. also said the government will begin constructing disaster-resilient “Ligtas Pinoy Centers” this year in areas frequently battered by severe weather, including Bicol, Eastern Samar, Bukidnon, and Davao de Oro.
According to the President, the facilities are designed to withstand extreme disasters, including super typhoons packing winds of up to 340 kph and earthquakes with a magnitude of 8.4.
Signed on Dec. 6, 2024, the Republic Act 12076, or the “Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act,” mandates the establishment of safe, permanent, and disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every city and municipality across the Philippines.
He emphasized that the same standards of quality and durability should also apply to privately built infrastructure across the country.
“Ang lahat ng gusali sa ating bansa ay dapat handa, at kayang manatiling matatag at nakatindig laban sa anumang banta ng sakuna at kalamidad,” he said, calling for amendments to the National Building Code to bring the country’s construction requirements in line with modern standards.
-av
