All the calamities, including typhoons and volcanic eruptions, occurring now in the Philippines, it is imperative to establish a "culture of preparedness."
President Marcos made the statement during the 24th Gawad Kalasag awarding ceremony which recognized local government units and institutions who promote and implement disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance.
In his speech, Marcos cited that the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, being frequently visited by typhoons, exacerbated by climate change, and situated in the Pacific ring of fire.
The country's vulnerability to volcanic and seismic activities is evident now with the continued unrest of Mount Kanlaon, Marcos said.
"And all of these compel us to establish a culture of preparedness and institutionalize disaster risk reduction and management practices across all sectors," Marcos said on Friday, Dec. 13.
He also mentioned the first crisis --El Niño phenomenon--that the country dealt with during the first half of 2024.
"During the first half of the year, the first crisis that we faced was El Niño where we had six months, there was no rain that came down to the Philippines from November of last year, extending into the second even the third quarter of this year," he cited.
"Now, we have the typhoons that have come with the anticipation of La Niña. Now, the eruption and continuing unrest of Kanlaon has covered its neighboring places with ash fall," he added.
While there has been an increasing frequency and intensity of hazardous events in the country, the President said it has provided the government with "insights that have shaped our approach and have saved many lives."
He stressed that it also imperative that the Philippines' disaster risk reduction management system continues to improve.
"It has become imperative that our DRRM system undergoes continuous improvement to address evolving circumstances. It includes our individual obligation to follow proactive, vigilant, and adaptable strategies for our own and our communities’ safety," Marcos said.
He also stressed the need for science-based innovations on disaster response, calling the country’s top disaster management office and local government units to work together for the cause.
"I once again call on the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), all other concerned agencies and the LGUs – our always our first responders – to continue working together to develop innovative solutions that are science-based, that are sustainable, and are future-ready, and establish clear guidelines for more effective disaster-response," Marcos said.
The President said the initiative for disaster response should be guided by the “Build Back Better” strategy in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
"For our part in government, we are consolidating and putting together all of the new technologies, all of the best practices. It is unfortunate that we have become – the Philippines has become the example of how to handle these calamities and these disasters. It is unfortunate because we have had to learn those hard lessons through bitter experience," he said.
"But nevertheless, that has served us well, especially now that we face a new normal. It is a phrase that we have been hearing since Yolanda. But it is a fact that this is the new normal and therefore we need to think ahead of it," he added.
During the event, Marcos led the awarding of the best LGUs under the Local DRRM Councils and Offices category. Some of the awardees were:
Best Province: Occidental Mindoro
Best Municipality (1st to 3rd Class Category): Malungon, Sarangani
Best Municipality (4th to 6th Class Category): Cagwait, Surigao Del Sur
Best Highly Urbanized City: Caloocan City
Best Component City: Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat
Best Independent Component City: Santiago City, Isabela