BARANGAYS SHOULD HAVE DISASTER RESPONSE CAPABILITIES

In the wake of the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy, Senator Bong Revilla today pressed for anti-disaster capabilities of barangay governments for more punctual and resourceful response to calamities.

According to the senator, it is high time that the more than 1,800 barangays in the country directly be part of national government's effort on disasters and calamities.

"Our disaster response capabilities must primarily be in the barangay level. Each and every barangay in the country should have its own equipment and personnel for search and rescue operation such as rubber boats, life vests and paramedic staff." said Revilla, who coincidentallly launched last week his "Kaagapay sa Araw ng Pangangailangan" (KAP) donation drive for victims of calamities.

He appealed to Malacañang to certify as urgent his bill that seeks to decentralize disaster management strategies down to the barangay level to further address calamity problems that the country regularly faces just like the massive flooding brought by Typhoon Ondoy.

"We should now institutionalize disaster management in the country down to the barangay level. This would result to a more expeditious and coordinated response to calamities and disasters. This could lessen the number of casualties and damage to properties," Revilla explained.

Under Senate Bill 2013 which has already been approved by the Senate, the present National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) which was established under Presidential Decree (PD) 1566 shall be known as the National Disaster Management Council (NDMC).

Unlike the present set up where the NDCC's budget are allocated from the Office of the President's resources, the NDMC will have its own annual fund under the General Appropriations Act.

Instead of the Local Government Units (LGUs) having the prerogative to create and fund Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council in its jurisdiction, the NDMC will be the one who will establish barangay-based disaster management groups which will be called as Barangay Disaster Management Councils (BDMCs). The BDMC will be funded by the annual budget of the NDMC.

The BDMC shall be composed of the punong barangay as chairman and organic barangay officials and leaders of people's organization as members. It will have its own office and staff.

The lawmaker said the government must recognize the importance of understanding risk patterns and the need to decentralize responsibilities and resources for disaster risk reduction to regional and local authorities.

"We must encourage participation of non-government organizations, private sector, community-based organizations and community members in disaster risk management and response. This will ensure coordinated efforts as well as efficient use of resources," he added.