Ping Lacson Pushes Three Solutions to Boost Disaster Response in PH

BAGUIO CITY – Former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson pushed late Tuesday for a streamlined disaster response mechanism, an updated Building Code, and a national hazard mapping program to help us cope with the effects of earthquakes, floods, cyclones and other disasters.

Lacson, who also served as Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, proposed to transfer the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) directly under the Office of the President.

“We should transfer the OCD from the Department of National Defense to the Office of the President. This will eliminate the usual bureaucratic red tape,” he said in Filipino at the “Konsultahang Bayan: A Caucus for Good Governance Beyond Elections” held at the Citylight Hotel here.

The forum was attended by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong along with experts and representatives from various sectors seeking good governance.

Related: Ping Lacson, Isinulong ang Tatlong Pampalakas ng Disaster Response sa Pilipinas

Continue reading “Ping Lacson Pushes Three Solutions to Boost Disaster Response in PH”

#PingSays: On a new gov’t agency to handle disasters, and preparations for a possible impeachment trial | March 6, 2018

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– a prospective new agency to handle disaster-related matters
– preparations for a possible impeachment trial

Quotes from the interview…  Continue reading “#PingSays: On a new gov’t agency to handle disasters, and preparations for a possible impeachment trial | March 6, 2018”

Congressional Oversight Committee Hearing on the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act

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Sen. Lacson, whose resolution for a review of RA 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) was one of the grounds of the hearing, stressed the need for a separate agency to focus on dealing with disasters.
“This is an opportune time (to review the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, because) the Philippines is third most risky in terms of disasters. It’s been eight years (since the law was passed). We have not reviewed (the law) as mandated under Republic Act 10121.”
“Even before I left the OPARR, ito ang naiwanan kong recommendation kay then President Aquino noon: It’s about time we created a separate agency even under the Office of the President para talagang may lead agency. Ngayon medyo sabog eh. Mahirap ang council-type na coordinative, tapos naka-integrate lang, puro monitoring ang mangyayari. There must be a separate lead agency who will take care and assume responsibility.”

Related:
Senate Resolution 10: Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act
Lacson pushes review of disaster management law to cope with ‘new normal’
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