Sara pushes for higher disaster response funding

Vice President Sara Duterte stressed the need for increased funding in disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness, saying the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters requires stronger and more immediate action.

“Disaster prone talaga ang Pilipinas, kaya dapat din talaga malaki yung budget natin sa disaster risk reduction and mitigation, preparedness and response,” Duterte said in an interview with SMNI News on Friday from The Hague, Netherlands.

She explained that the Office of the Vice President’s Disaster Operations Center has been institutionalized to handle rapid emergency response and relief efforts in times of calamity.

"Ito yung in-institutionalize namin sa loob ng OVP. Isa na talaga siyang center kung saan meron talagang tao — mga tao na nakatutok sa mga emergencies and calamities na naka-devolve din yung iba doon sa mga satellite offices namin sa iba't ibang probinsya para mas mabilis yung galaw nila," she said.

Despite their ongoing efforts, Duterte acknowledged that the OVP’s budget remains limited when it comes to disaster relief and survival kits.

“Kaya yung mga iba, meron tayong mga kababayan na gusto tumulong din. Sinasabihan namin sila na kung pwede, idiretso na lang nila doon sa local government unit at sa local disaster council kung saan sila gustong tumulong,” she added.

In observance of National Disaster Resilience Month this July, the Vice President also urged the public to identify the types of disasters they are most likely to face, whether it’s typhoons, floods, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.

"At siyempre bagyo, merong mga areas na mas madalas ang bagyo sa atin doon sa Pilipinas, yung mga pagbaha dahil sa pag-overflow ng kanilang mga drainage at kanilang mga sapa, ilog," she said.

She advised every household to have a clear emergency plan and ensure all members know their roles during crises.

"So dapat kailangan lahat ng bahay, alam nila kung ano yung mga posibleng kalamidad na kakaharapin nila. Tapos, nakahanda din yun kung ano yung gagawin nila dapat pag dumating na yung sakuna, yung emergency, yung kalamidad. Tapos kailangan din na napapag-usapan nung mga lahat ng nasa loob ng bahay kung ano ba yung kanya-kanyang role at ano yung kanya-kanyang gagawin," Duterte added.

The Vice President also highlighted the importance of having emergency kits ready — commonly known as “go bags” — which can sustain individuals for up to five days in case of disaster.

"Mahalaga din na nakahanda yung kanilang emergency kits o yung go bags na tinatawag para pag nandiyan na yung emergency, hilahin na lang nila yung go bag at ma-secure sila for about 3 to 5 days gamit yung go bag nila," she said.