The House Committee on Government Reorganization, alongside the Committee on Disaster Resilience, approved the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) as the government institution responsible for ensuring the safety of disaster-hit communities in the country.

Earlier this week, the joint panel approved House Bill No. 13, which aims to improve the institutional capacity of the government for disaster risk reduction and management. Under the bill, the DDR will study different ways to build the resilience of local communities to both natural disasters and climate change.

Its main goal is to assist affected communities with recovery and rehabilitation so that more people would be unharmed during such times.

Once the DDR is finalized, it will serve as the primary government agency that is focused on analyzing possible threats and accidents that may occur during calamities and disasters. Aside from that, the DDR will also be responsible for the sudden emergence of an epidemic or pandemic.

“Governance mechanisms focused on climate-related risks is a key strategy for climate change adaptation,” Salceda said.

The Albay Representative also pointed out how task forces are only formed whenever a calamity requires monitoring. Studies have also reported high vulnerability scores for the Philippines, due to the lack of coping and adaptive capacities.

“This indicates that the country can make adjustments in its institutional framework for disaster risk reduction, response and management,” Salceda stated.