Review on 'Phl disaster law' eyed

MANILA, Philippines - An author of the law that mandates the government to address and manage the causes and impact of calamities on Monday said there may be a need to review the law.

In a statement, Sen. Loren Legarda said three years after the enactment of Republic Act 10121 or the  "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010"  there may be a need to amend the law to include better provisions for disaster preparedness.

"A sunset review of the law three years after its enactment may also be timely to see if an amendment is called for in order to equip the government with better DRR (disaster risk reduction) mechanisms," Legarda said.

She added that the goverment must focus more on disaster preparedness than disaster response.

Legarda also made the call following the announcement of the resignation of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Benito Ramos.

"The government cannot be fragmented in dealing with flood risks and natural hazards. We hope that Undersecretary Ramos will be succeeded by one with equal passion and sense of responsibility. And as provided in the law, by a universally acknowledged expert in the field of disaster risk reduction and management," said Legarda.

Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change added that although meaningful strides have been made to improve the country's disaster resilience, there is still a need to fully implement the environmental laws as well as for heightened action from all stakeholders in disaster risk management.

"We need disaser-resilience development planning, which means the intergration of disaster risks into local land use and development plans. We need to raise awareness among private citizens, the business community, even the youth sector," she said.