DISASTER RESPONSE BODY. Officials from the Iloilo City government and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas monitor updates on three motorized bancas that capsized off Iloilo Strait on Saturday (August 3, 2019). Iloilo 3rd DIstrict Rep. Lorenz Defensor has raised the creation of Disaster Risk Management Department to streamline disaster response agencies during the 18th Congress session on Monday. (Photo courtesy of OCD 6)
ILOILO CITY – The creation of the Disaster Risk Management Department was raised on Monday by an Iloilo lawmaker in the wake of the recent Iloilo Strait tragedy.
Three motorized bancas plying Iloilo and Guimaras route capsized off Iloilo Strait on Saturday due to bad weather.
As of Monday afternoon, the fatalities from the sea tragedy have reached 28; six are still missing and 52 survived out of the 86 total passengers.
Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, during his privilege speech on the 18th Congress’ session, mourned the loss from the sea mishap.
“We are all heartbroken in Iloilo and Guimaras, and it with deep sadness that we condole with the families of those that we have lost,” he said.
He grieved for the four teachers from Lambunao National High School (LNHS) who died in the tragedy. LNHS is covered by his congressional district.
Defensor said the accident should “serve as a call for all of us in the government to act in order to ensure the safety of passengers.”
The Philippine Coast Guard and the local government units should also be given needed infrastructures, facilities, and equipment to respond to these accidents, he said.
He said lawmakers should also pay attention in passing laws relative to responding to accidents and disasters.
“We are in the best position right now to directly influence policy and make the necessary changes in practice in order to save lives by enacting laws including the passage of the Department of Disaster Risk and Management allocating the necessary funds thereof,” he said.
In a phone interview Tuesday, Defensor said a bill “creating disaster risk management department” is filed in the Senate.
“There is a bill filed in the Senate and we will support to consolidate the bill. As soon as possible, I hope it will be passed and given attention,” Defensor said.
He said the bill is not only concerned with the search and rescue operations but will consolidate information that identifies “critical areas that are prone to disasters” such as earthquake, typhoon, landslide, among others.
The department will also “streamline” agencies such as the Office of the Civil Defense, National Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinating Council, Philippine Coast Guard, among others.
“Sometimes, if we have different agencies, we are confused on which holds responsibility for this and that,” he said.
“It is better that we consolidate or streamline these agencies for us to know which will be given funds to implement programs,” he added.
However, Defensor said the creation of the department is not of paramount concern as of the moment.
He said allocating funds for existing agencies, like the Philippine Coast Guard, is the priority as it has “immediate needs”.
He noted that accidents during this typhoon season may not be avoided but “at least, we can save (the victims)."
Defensor said the funds can be used for providing the agency adequate equipment in its search and rescue operation.
“We will study on how we will consolidate all their needs because it can be the solution,” he said. (PNA)
