ANGARA STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Senator Edgardo J. Angara expressed his deep sympathy to the victims of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti, and stressed the need for more effective disaster risk reduction measures in the Philippines, especially as the country is among the most calamity-prone countries in the world.

"I am deeply saddened by the escalating death toll and destruction caused by the recent quake disaster. Let us heed the warning brought by the recent spate of calamities," said Angara, noting the Philippines must adopt a new strategy in preparing for and coping with disasters in order to prevent the loss of lives.

It is likely that the Philippines and the rest of the region will experience more catastrophe of major proportion and by that time, it should already have instituted concrete measures such as emergency medicine, disaster science research and the provision of more rescue equipment, he emphasized.

Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Senate Committee on Science and Technology, is working with Hyogo Prefecture in Japan to establish a disaster training center in RP. He is likewise pushing for the institutionalization of emergency medicine in the country.

"We must work towards creating a mature emergency system that can administer effective emergency response."

Angara stressed that the country must make strides in developing a high overall level of preparedness against disaster. He said this requires the help and coordination of all government agencies who can develop partnerships with local governments and providing necessary training and planning for the administration of emergency responses.

"The prevention of any threat to the well-being of the public is a continuing challenge. As a nation, we need to be ready to respond immediately and swiftly if and when any individual's life is in danger," Angara said.