House starts plenary debate on DDR bill

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives started Wednesday night plenary deliberations on the Palace-backed measure that would create the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), replacing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). 

“We appeal to our colleagues to pass the measure with urgency. When there is an imminent calamity or during an actual calamity, the DDR may exercise command and control over other relevant government agencies,” Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo told his colleagues. 

The congressman from Camiguin delivered his sponsorship speech following a directive from Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to “prioritize” the legislation of the consolidated bill, which seeks to reduce the country’s vulnerability to calamities. 

One of the authors, Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, said precious lives and properties are better protected from natural hazards and disasters with the passage of DDR, noting that “we need to be better prepared because nature’s wrath is inevitable.”

“It is high time that we create a Department of Disaster Resilience that will effectively reduce our vulnerability to natural hazards and bolster our resilience to the impact of national disasters and climate change,” she said. 

Another co-author, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, said the proposed DDR will oversee all programs and activities to reduce the country’s vulnerability to natural calamities and climate change.

“The government cannot achieve inclusive growth without making our country resilient. With the unfortunate distinction of being ground zero for climate disaster, the Philippines’ losses during the typhoon season amount to around two percent of our GDP (gross domestic product) while reconstruction efforts after disasters cost another two percent based on our estimates,” he said.

Romualdo, now chairman of the House committee on good government, used to head the panel on government reorganization that collaborated with the committee on national defense of Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino that approved the consolidated bill. 

The House appropriations committee of Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles eventually gave the go signal for the funding requirement of the measure.

President Duterte called on Congress during his State of the Nation address last July 23 to create a disaster management department. 

Under the substitute bill, the DDR will be the national government agency primarily responsible for disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, recovery and rehabilitation. 

The substitute bill is a consolidation of eight different bills that sought to create departments and agencies for disaster management, resilience, preparedness and rehabilitation.

The present NDRRMC, which exercises coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring and evaluation functions, will be replaced by the DDR Council, which shall solely be a policymaking and advisory body on disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management and climate change adaptation.

“Functions of certain agencies, like the Office of Civil Defense and the Climate Change Commission, will be transferred to the new department,” Romualdo said.