We thought of this topic amidst typhoon Kristine, one of the deadliest typhoons that hit the country last month. During typhoons it is usual to hear government announcements of typhoon signals with calls for evacuation or suspension of classes and work, assignment of evacuation centers and distribution of relief goods. But is it the only role of the government during calamities?
The question is relevant because geographically, the Philippines is prone to natural hazards, such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. This vulnerability is worsened by climate change that causes natural disasters to become more frequent and severe and some weather events, extreme. According to reports, approximately 20 storms and typhoons enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) each year. In 2013, one of the deadliest natural calamities that ever hit the Philippines (Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Super Typhoon Yolanda) killed at least 6,000 people and left millions of people severely affected..
Most impacted are urban and agricultural workers, as well as fisherfolks, which thus seriously affect food production and risk the country’s food security. While individual preparedness during calamities is a must, it is legitimate to expect or demand the government (to which we pay taxes and because we have social contract with or for many other profound reasons) to have a bigger, important role during calamities.
So, we researched as a team, and found some information.
Under Republic Act No. 10121 also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the government unit body known as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is tasked to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.
As stated therein, one of the duties of the NDRRMC is to:
[…]
(e) Establish a national early warning and emergency alert system to provide accurate and timely advice to national or local emergency response organizations and to the general public through diverse mass media to include digital and analog broadcast, cable, satellite television and radio, wireless communications, and landline communications;
[…]
(h) Manage and mobilize resources for disaster risk reduction and management including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund; […]
Furthermore, it is charged to take remedial measures:
(a) Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the President upon the recommendation of the implementing agency as provided for under Republic Act No. 7581, otherwise known as the "Price Act", or the National Price Coordinating Council;
(b) Monitoring, prevention and control by the Local Price Coordination Council of overpricing/profiteering and hoarding of prime commodities, medicines and petroleum products;
(c) Programming/reprogramming of funds for the repair and safety upgrading of public infrastructures and facilities; and
(d) Granting of no-interest loans by government financing or lending institutions to the most affected section of the population through their cooperatives or people's organizations.
On the other hand, at the local level, the local government units play a crucial role in disaster management and act as the first responders premised on their understanding of their communities’ needs and authority over their respective localities.
Under the Local Government Code of 1991, one of the duties of the Sanggunian (or City/Municipal Council) is to adopt measures to protect its citizens from the harmful effects of natural natural calamities and to implement rescue, relief, and recovery operations, and provide necessary assistance to the victims during and in the aftermath of the said calamities.
There are other laws and regulations related to these mandates. For example, safety protocols and ethical conduct are expected of government personnel in carrying out their duties. Respect for human rights, non-discrimination in evacuation centers, protection of women, children, elderly and PWDs, and the like are also requirements during government relief operations and evacuation.
There are also calamity, people’s survival, and other public funds and loan programs that the government is supposed to activate and use to implement its role and to financially assist those affected by calamities.
Other literature that we found speak of public trust doctrines and social welfare obligations of the state in times of calamities.
In other words, the role of the government during calamities, as we realize it, is not limited to announcements of typhoon signals, calls for evacuation and work or classes suspension, and relief operations. Now that we know, let’s be active in asking and working with our government to effectively perform its duties during calamities.
