The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Saturday, Feb. 21, that it has partnered with Israel to discuss how the government can enhance its disaster preparedness capabilities against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
This, as Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, administrator of OCD, hosted Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss at the OCD Building in Camp Aguinaldo.
During their meeting, Fluss emphasized Israel's readiness to assist the Philippines during calamities.
“We had the privilege of meeting with Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno to discuss Israel’s disaster management expertise. We also had the opportunity to share insights on how Israel’s comprehensive approach to managing man-made disasters can offer valuable lessons for the Philippines,” Fluss said.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration and strengthening our partnership in disaster preparedness and response,” the Israeli envoy added.
For his part, Nepomuceno acknowledged Israel’s capabilities, saying the Middle Eastern country “has proven itself as a leader in disaster management and innovation.”
The OCD chief stated that the visit established a commitment to ongoing partnerships between Manila and Jerusalem which aims to bolster community resilience and tackle shared challenges, particularly in the face of potential CBRN threats.
According to the OCD, the two parties explored opportunities for capacity building, focusing on allowing the conduct of demonstrations of advanced Israeli products and technologies.
They also acknowledged the need for technological assistance in areas such as food and water purification, as well as smart city solutions aimed at improving urban resilience.
“It is very interesting that the partnership with Israel will give us some ideas how to deal with CBRN threats and save us from the hazards it brings that affect the nation’s health and safety,” Nepomuceno shared.