Bill to create disaster rehab body filed

MANILA, Philippines - The Alay Buhay party-list has proposed the creation of the Philippine Disaster Rehabilitation Commission which will provide a comprehensive and encompassing program of relief, rescue, rebuilding and livelihood in times of calamities.

In House Bill 3351, Alay Buhay Rep. Weslie T. Gatchalian said instituting a National Disaster Rehabilitation Program and establishing the Philippine Disaster Rehabilitation Commission (PDRC) will speed up the recovery and the return to normalcy of affected areas.

The bill stresses that It is “the policy of the state to assist the victims in the communities damaged or destroyed or adversely affected by disasters and its after-effects by extending to them aid, relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihood services and by undertaking construction or repair and reconstruction of infrastructure to the end that life may return to normalcy at the earliest possible time and the development of areas affected.”

As explained in the bill, the term “disaster” refers to any natural and man made catastrophe including but not limited to storms, tornado, high water, wind driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, drought, or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the country, which in the determination of the President cause damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance.

PDRC will complement the efforts and available resources of local governments and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss or suffering in affected areas.