OCD pushes NDRRMC law amendments

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is advocating for amendments to the law that created the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and enhancements to the country’s early warning system.

According to OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, the agency OCD wants to establish an executive committee within the NDRRMC to expedite decision-making during disasters.

Currently, major decisions require the full council, which comprises 41 government agencies and five private sector representatives.

“Foremost of our plans is to have amendments to the law that created the NDRRMC,” Nepomuceno said.

“One of the amendments we are requesting is to allow us to create an executive committee that will be in charge of making major decisions,” he added.

Nepomuceno also stressed the need for quicker action, especially during emergencies, saying that the agency can do more if the law is modified anc cited that time is of the essence, particularly during disasters.

The current structure, he suggested, can be cumbersome and slow down responses when rapid action is crucial.

Beyond legal changes, the OCD chief is also pushing for improvements to the Philippines’ early warning system to bolster disaster mitigation efforts. He said the OCD is working with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) to develop a more comprehensive and innovative warning system.

“With the help of the DENR and the DoST, we want to be more creative and more comprehensive in our warning system,” Nepomuceno said as he stressed that a robust early warning system is essential for enabling timely responses and protecting lives, livelihoods, and property.

Nepomuceno also cited Thailand’s nationwide warning system as a model. Thailand has over 600 towers equipped with sirens, along with a public address system that provides regular updates to the public every 10 to 15 minutes.

He suggested that the Philippines could learn from Thailand’s approach and adapt similar strategies to its own context.

The OCD also plans to launch a public education campaign on disaster resilience, targeting youth, local government units (LGUs), and disaster responders. Nepomuceno said the campaign will be conducted with the assistance of the media.

“Being the first responders, we want our LGUs to be empowered and accountable for their own localities,” said Nepomuceno, citing that some local government units (LGUs) still rely heavily on the national government for disaster response.

“Some LGUs are still dependent on the national government. But it takes a while for us to arrive in their areas during disasters. They should accept the responsibility and take the necessary actions, such as investing in rubber boats for rescue operations,” he added.

Nepomuceno also stressed the importance of local preparedness and self-sufficiency in disaster response, saying that LGUs should be equipped and trained to handle initial response efforts before national assistance arrives.

He stressed that the localized approach will lead to more effective and timely disaster management, adding that the educational campaign aims to raise awareness and build capacity at the local level.