The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) hopes that the Philippines will become known as the 'laboratory for disaster resilience in the world' in the future.
OCD spokesperson Edgar Posadas targets to earn a new label for the Philippines after the World Risk Index 2022 named the Southeast Asian nation as the most disaster-prone country.
"Malaki ang challenge sa atin. Kung tutuusin, tayo na ang tinatawag nilang laboratory for disasters in the world," Posadas said on Wednesday, July 12, during DILG sa DZRH Breaktime.
"We want to turn that around, into an opportunity, na medyo positive siya. With this challenge, we want to be known as the laboratory for disaster response in the world," he added.
In order to make this change, Posadas stressed the need to train barangay officials in disaster response.
The OCD official mentioned that the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic showed the 'critical role' of local officials in disaster response.
"We have to capacitate our barangays being the frontliners," Posadas stressed.
"Kung ready ang ating barangays, then we can say na medyo na pwede na tayong, hindi naman mag-relax, but maghinay-hinay na kaunti," he added.
Posadas said that civilians must also receive disaster response training.
"Ang advocacy natin dito is for everyone to have ownership of their own safety lalo na during times of disaster. Kailangan i-own nila, meron silang responsibility to their own safety," Posadas said.
Posadas said that the preparations of the Philippines must also level up since disasters continue to change.
He added that the disaster response preparations of the country follow a 'whole-of-nation approach, which not only comprises of a government agency but also includes the private sector, volunteer groups, and frontliners.
"Ang resliency ay nakasalalay sa bawat isa sa atin, sa bawat isang Pilipino. Ang buong mundo nga ay tumitingin sa atin dahil sa template natin in resiliency," Posadas stressed.
