Disaster Preparedness Hearing on Monday May 26

Senator Rodolfo G Biazon today said he hopes that the six members of the Cabinet - specifically the Secretaries of the DND, DILG, DENR, DSWD, DOH, DPWH will not invoke "Executive Privilege" but rather be present and contribute their inputs to the Senate inquiry on national disaster preparedness and management scheduled on Monday, May 26, 2008, 9 am at the Laurel Room of the Senate.

"The Senate bills filed by seven Senators - Santiago, Honasan, Estrada, Revilla, Zubiri, Gordon and Trillanes, all on disaster preparedness and risk management needs to be reconciled and discussed."

Biazon cited that there are four "R"s relative to disaster management - (1) Readiness - the capability to predict, be prepared and issue warnings; (2) Rescue -saving lives; (3) Relief - to provide sustenance and (4) Rehabilitation.

"During the first hearing of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security where the bills on disaster management were referred, we focused on the "Readiness" component and we listened to experts and scientists from the Manila Observatory, PAGASA and PHILVOCS. Maps identifying vulnerable areas in the country to earthquakes, volcano eruptions and typhoons were presented and explained to the committee."

Biazon said when he asked the scientists if because of climate change we can expect more visitations from typhoons, hurricanes etc., the scientists answered in the affirmative.

When Biazon asked the same scientists if we can expect a higher intensity as regards to the forthcoming typhoons, again he received an affirmative reply.

Biazon said it is important for all the key players in the national government level who are responsible for the swift delivery of assistance and public services to victims of calamities and disasters to collectively reassess our readiness capacity during the next Senate hearing.

"One issue that needs to be resolved is the need to review the IRA based calamity fund. What are the requisites prior to the release? Who should receive the greater bulk of the release - the national government or the local government agencies? "

Also invited by the committee chaired by Senator Rodolfo G Blazon are: MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando; League of Provinces President Loreto Leo Ocampos; Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., Zambales Governor Amor Deloso; PHILVOCS Director Dr. Renato Solidum Jr.; PAGASA Director Dr. Prisco Nilo; UP college of Science Institute of Biology Dr. Perry Ong; UP National Institute of Geological Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Sandra G. Catane and the Executive Director of the Manila Observary Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, UP Professor of Marine Science Fernando Saringan and UP Professor Mahar Lagmay.*****