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A general view shows coconut trees swaying amid strong winds as Super Typhoon Rolly makes landfall in Legazpi City, Albay province, Philippines, on November 1, 2020 (Photo by Charism SAYAT / AFP).
MANILA, Philippines – The destruction caused by Super Typhoon Rolly in the country has rekindled the question of whether there is a need for a department focused on the government’s response to the disaster.
While some senators renewed their calls for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience, some of their colleagues stressed that it would “inflate” the bureaucracy even more.
In separate statements Monday, Senators Grace Poe and Christopher “Bong” Go said that the creation of a “dedicated agency that will focus on disaster management and resilience should be prioritized.”
“We also call on Congress to pass the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience and Emergency Assistance and Management that we have previously proposed, “said Poe, chairman of the Senate Public Services Committee.
“Each looming calamity reminds us of the missed opportunity to be better prepared and respond more appropriately to local people and governments. Let’s make this a priority, ”he added.
Go also urged his colleagues in the Senate to act on measures that seek the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience.
“We will deliberate on it and let the legislative process run its course,” Go said in a separate statement.
“I am confident that other senators, subject matter experts and executive officials can also contribute to discussions on how to further improve mechanisms to make our country more prepared, responsive and resilient to disasters,” he added.
Go noted that there are six pending Senate bills seeking the creation of such a department. The House of Representatives already approved the measure in final reading last September.
“The president himself also said that this is his priority,” he added. (The president himself said that this will be his priority).
“We should be more proactive to further improve our mechanisms to ensure that all of government responds to the needs of our people in times of change,” he added.
However, the Senate minority Franklin Drilon, as well as Senators Panfilo Lacson and Richard Gordon, are wary of the creation of a new department.
“I don’t see the need for an entire department just for disaster resilience. I think there should be a general plan on the number of departments, rather than an instinctive push for the creation of certain departments, ”Drilon said in a text message to reporters.
“If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” added.
He stressed that instead of a new department, coordination and planning between the agencies involved in the government’s disaster response should be strengthened.
This coordination, Drilon said, includes timely access to disaster funds by local government units, which are at the forefront of disaster management.
“The challenge continues to be planning and better coordination,” he added.
Lacson also expressed concern about the creation of a new department.
“It is relatively easy to pass a law that creates new departments. But would it be feasible and would there be adequate funding for it? Lacson said in a separate statement.
He said that according to the Department of Budget and Management, at least P1.5 billion is needed to establish the department.
This amount, Lacson said, does not yet include additional salaries, capital outlay such as office facilities, furniture, vehicles, maintenance and other operating expenses, among others.
Like Drilon, Lacson reiterated that the bureaucracy is already “bloated” and needs an adequate size.
It also cited the cases of newly created departments, such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, which said they were not “properly funded” or “at least not received. gives due funding to make it work properly. “
“A good example is the DICT, which for two consecutive budget years has been requesting an additional budget to establish and develop the nation’s national broadband program and free Wi-Fi services for all government agencies,” Lacson said.
“But the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) has provided only a negligible sum, in the case of the national broadband program, providing only P900 million of the agency’s request of P18 billion,” he added.
Gordon, for his part, said he is “ambivalent” when it comes to proposals to create a new disaster response department.
He said that while it would be “useful” if the creation of a new department is promoted, it would be better to invest in improving the government’s existing mechanisms to respond to disasters.
“We already have people in charge e. ‘Let’s not do more because it will reduce the government money that should be reserved for other things. Let’s heal those who are there, ”Gordon told reporters in an online interview.
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