Wanted : A department of disaster resilience

MANILA - The executive director of the UP-NOAH Center at the UP Resilience Institute is urging government to focus on the aspect of mitigation when it comes to disaster preparedness. 

Mahar Lagmay said proper risk assessment will result in better evacuation and disaster responses. He added that the proposed Department of Disaster Preparedness will be able to focus on this matter.

"It has emphasis on assessment using these assessments of risk that take into consideration future bigger hazards and put it into comprehensive development plans," he told ANC Monday.

Malacañang last July submitted to both chambers of Congress the Executive branch’s version of the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience.

President Rodrigo Duterte had said earlier he wants to have a point person in the country’s disaster management efforts.