TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Bohol 3rd District Rep. Alexie Besas-Tutor has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent House Bill No. 833, or the Disasters and Emergencies Management Act, following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on June 8.
Tutor said the proposed measure aims to strengthen the capacity of local government units (LGUs) to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies, including earthquakes, typhoons, droughts, fires, and the effects of El Niño.
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The lawmaker stressed that the bill does not seek to create a new government agency or department, noting that existing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMOs) in cities and municipalities are already in place and can be further strengthened.
Instead, HB 833 focuses on enhancing disaster response capabilities at the local level by establishing barangay-based first responders, providing appropriate benefits for their services, reinforcing DRRMO units in cities and municipalities, and identifying funding sources for the implementation of disaster management programs.
Tutor said the recent earthquake in Mindanao underscored the need for stronger disaster preparedness and response mechanisms across the country.
She emphasized that faster and more effective actions by local governments during emergencies can help save more lives and reduce the impact of disasters on communities.
The proposed measure seeks to institutionalize a more proactive and coordinated approach to disaster management, ensuring that local governments are equipped to respond quickly and efficiently when calamities strike. /jpv
