President Marcos Jr. Stresses Access to Disaster Management Tech for LGUs

Tacloban City – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed the necessity of equipping local government units (LGUs) with the latest technological advancements in disaster risk reduction and management, calling for broader access to tools developed with the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) support.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Presidential Communications Operations Office, during the 2023 Handa Pilipinas Visayas Leg at the Summit Hotel, President Marcos mandated the DOST to engage with the private sector to expedite the adoption and commercialization of these technologies. The president highlighted a range of innovations showcased at the event, including mobile command posts, triaging trailer tents, collapsible toilets, advanced emergency disinfection systems, fire blankets, unsinkable boats, and water ambulances, all designed to aid in relief and rescue operations. Additionally, he mentioned the importance of emergency food reserves and other food products in enhancing survival kits for disaster situations.

The president emphasized the importance of cooperation across government agencies, local governments, the private sector, and communities for effective disaster risk reduction and management. He affirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a ‘safer, stronger, and more resilient Philippines,’ and underscored the role of public-private partnerships in making new technologies both affordable and accessible to LGUs.

HANDA Pilipinas, an annual exposition, aims to increase public awareness and promote the adoption of DOST-supported technological innovations in disaster risk management. This year’s Visayas Leg, commemorating the impact of Super Typhoon Yolanda, focused on understanding risks and preventing future disasters. It also served as a platform to acknowledge the institutions that facilitated Eastern Visayas’ swift recovery post-Yolanda through science, technology, and innovation.

Parallelly, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) highlighted the enduring lessons from Super Typhoon Yolanda, particularly the imperative of avoiding complacency in disaster preparedness. Spokesperson Edgar Posadas, speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, underscored that readiness is paramount but pointed out the challenge in determining when preparations are sufficient. He noted that strategies such as prepositioning relief goods and establishing alternate shelters are among the key policies adopted by the Office of Civil Defense for disaster readiness, furthering the government’s commitment to a science-based approach in early warning and forecasting.