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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bong Go renews push for Dep't of Disaster Resilience

Bong Go renews push for Dep't of Disaster Resilience

Published Jul 6, 2025 01:54 pm

At A Glance

  • The senator maintained that a more centralized and empowered structure is urgently needed to address the country's vulnerability to natural and human-induced disasters.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has renewed his push for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience to institutionalize and streamline government intervention on disasters.
Go refiled the bill at the start of the 20th Congress, saying it is high time the passage into law of a proposed dedicated agency that is focused on dealing with the country’s efforts on disaster preparedness, mitigation and response materializes in the 20th Congress.
The senator also maintained that a more centralized and empowered structure is urgently needed to address the country’s vulnerability to natural and human-induced disasters.
“Natural disasters can cause such far-reaching and impactful consequences that it has become clear that a comprehensive, specialized, and focused approach is the only way to move forward from the effects of natural disasters,” Go explained in the explanatory note of the bill.
“We need a department that is really focused on this type of crisis—ready, with a clear system and a clear mandate led by a secretary-level person who will serve as the helm during a disaster,” Go said, noting the limitations under the current set up under Republic Act No. 10121, which established the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The proposed Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2025 aims to create a national agency with cabinet-level leadership that will unify and streamline all disaster-related responsibilities under a single chain of command.
Go said the department shall unify and streamline the responsibilities and functions related to the country’s disaster preparedness, provide a clear chain of command, and create a more holistic and proactive approach in dealing with emergencies headed by a cabinet-level secretary.
“It is only through the creation of a highly specialized government agency, with all its resources fully focused on its mandate, that the events of past disasters can be avoided,” he asserted.
The proposed new department will also be equipped with emergency powers to ensure swift action during disasters if enacted.
“Emergency powers during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters, shall be exercised by the Department to provide timely response and to mitigate the sometimes unavoidable consequences of natural disasters,” he stated.

Related Tags

Bong Go Department of Disaster Resilience NDRRMC
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