SEN. TG GUINGONA III COMMENDS MMDA

Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III commended the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for taking the necessary steps and stepping up preparations for the stormy weather ahead.

"The MMDA has taken the lead in disaster preparedness in this season of rains, thunderstorms and typhoons. We can never over-emphasize the importance of preparedness to mitigate the risks and adverse results of calamities that are sure to hit the country in the following months," Guingona said.

 MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has created Task Force Unos as part of the agency's emergency response plan and started mobilizing its personnel and resources to assist flood victims during emergency situations this rainy season. The task force will be deployed in disaster prone areas of Metro Manila with particular attention to the low - lying and flood prone Camanava ( Caloocan , Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area. The MMDA is also set to buy more sets of emergency response tools for police stations, barangay halls and MMDA emergency centers.

As a member of the 14th Congress, then Cong. Guingona authored the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Bill which was signed into law earlier this year. Since then, Sen. Guingona has been pushing for the full implementation of this disaster management law to avoid the destruction brought about by the typhoons that slammed into country last year.

"Investments in building our human and social capital will be lost if we do not protect them against disasters. Typhoons Frank, Ondoy, Pepeng and Basyang have had significant adverse impact in terms of loss of life and property. The DRRM Law seeks to establish the policy environment for and build the institutions of disaster risk management as well as develop a culture of preparedness that will secure the future of our country against disasters," stressed Sen. Guingona.

The solon is keenly overseeing the writing of the implementing rules and regulations of the DRRM Law and the development of local DRRM plans.

"I have always said that we cannot avoid natural calamities from hitting the country. These are forces of nature beyond our control, but we can always prepare and be ready for them," Guingona stated.