Gordon stresses need for culture of disaster preparedness

Independent Senator Richard "Dick" J. Gordon today stressed the need for a culture of disaster preparedness inculcated among the Filipino people in order to mitigate the effects of natural disasters that are expected to hit the country.

Gordon made the call following a report from the Geoscience Australia that the Asia-Pacific faces an era of large-scale natural disasters which could kill up to a million people at a time, with Indonesia , the Philippines and China most at risk.

"The Philippine is geographically located in the circum-pacific belt of fire and typhoon in the Asia-Pacific region and is prone to natural disasters. It has continually sought to survive against many calamities. The threat of disasters continues to haunt our country," he noted.

"Thus, there is a need to revitalize the system for disaster preparedness and mitigation to enhance the survival capability of our country against all types of disasters, whether natural or man-made," he added.

The report further said that the impact of natural events, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, would, in coming years, be amplified by rising populations and climate change.

Gordon has filed Senate Bill 145 which seeks to provide the measures for the government to carry out its responsibilities to alleviate the sufferings of its people, which result from such disasters.

"The bill intends to allow the government to promote general welfare by formulating comprehensive plans and practicable programs for preparations against disasters, including hazard reduction, avoidance and mitigation," he said.

"It also intends to instill a culture of disaster preparedness among our people through the utilization of disaster preparedness and mitigation measures, the establishment of a warning system, and the provision for emergency operations during disasters," he added.

Gordon also pointed the need to collaborate with the Philippine National Red Cross and the local disaster coordinating councils to train local field disaster response teams and coordinating with international organizations to share international know-how, expertise, and technology, among others.