Proactive disaster risk reduction and a whole-of-government approach in responding to increasingly frequent and intense natural calamities are key pillars under the administration of President Marcos Jr.

Thus, said Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr. during the first day of the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussions in San Juan City on Tuesday, July 29.

According to Teodoro, the Filipinos’ automatic responses to earthquakes, floods, and fires are clear signs of an evolving culture of adaptation to disasters.

“The automatic reactions of people to disasters whether earthquakes, floods, or fires are part of what is called adaptation in disaster risk reduction. This is similar to the whole-of-government approach practiced at the national level,” Teodoro said.

“We are in a race because of climate change and no one country could ever say that they have conquered climate change. No matter how rich a country is, one just cannot endure the impact of climate change alone. The worst enemy that we can make is nature,” he added.

He said climate change has made disasters harder to predict and more destructive, with overlapping hazards now becoming more common.

“We’re seeing volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and typhoons happening at the same time, like last year. This means we need faster, more anticipatory responses,” he noted.

To recall, Marcos said that the overlapping natural disasters hitting the country is already the "new normal" as he called on government agencies to step up their disaster mitigation efforts.

Teodoro said that the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is mapping vulnerabilities down to the barangay level because different communities face different hazards due to the country’s geography. He said some experience storm surges, others floods, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.

On the other hand, Teodoro lauded the efforts by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to preposition relief goods in hard-to-reach areas.

He revealed that troops from the AFP and United States Marine Corps flew to Batanes on Tuesday to replenish stocks that were nearly depleted during the recent storms.

“Our prepositioning efforts mean we don’t have to wait for a storm to hit before delivering aid. It's already there when needed,” he said.

He also underscored the role of the AFP, Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and other uniformed personnel in disaster response, calling them the country’s de facto first responders.

“These public safety officers handle logistics and the heavy lifting in emergency situations,” he said. “Moving supplies and equipment from Point A to Point B, this is where our uniformed services are crucial.”

Citing President Marcos Jr.’s call for long-term solutions, Teodoro also stressed the need for proper infrastructure planning and investment.

“We need to build the right infrastructure in the right places. That means flood control, upgraded water systems, and robust transportation networks,” he said, referencing planned expansions of airports, seaports, and railways, including the South Luzon Expressway and rail links to Bicol.

In his SONA, Marcos called out government officials who allegedly corrupted funds intended for flood control projects, as he expressed exasperation over the massive flooding that occurred during the recent storms and effects of southwest monsoon (habagat). He said he will publish a list of flood-control projects done within the past three years and their contractors, including those linked to ghost projects or failed deals.

For his part, Teodoro lamented that illegal and small-scale mining remains a major driver of disasters such as landslides and deforestation. The government, he said, continues to crack down on these activities.

He also warned that among the biggest challenges during disasters is not just physical response, but how to communicate life-saving information effectively.

“People only have a few seconds to glance at social media or tune in to the news. Our warnings need to be clear, fast, credible, and free from fake news,” he said.

Teodoro called on the public to stay vigilant and engaged, stressing that the Marcos administration is committed to safeguarding the future through decisive action now.

“Our President is not just investing in the present. He is investing in our future,” he said.