Solons outline rules on Phl disaster risk reduction and management

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, May 18, 2011-The Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (COCDRRM) was convened to draft the rules of procedure that would enable to oversee and to monitor the implementation of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

At all levels, R.A. 10121 provisions bats for the identification of the areas vulnerable to calamities, projected climate risks, the enhancement of disaster preparedness and response capabilities, and appropriated P1-billion revolving fund  for the Office of the Civil Defense  as the lead agency.

The Philippines was ranked No. 1 with the most number of disasters that hit a country worldwide according to the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva.

COCDRRM Senate Committee Secretary Elpidio Calica said the Senate Oversight Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction was constituted during the plenary session last February where the Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Gringo Honasan, Loren Legarda, Antonio Trillanes IV and Pia Cayetano were the committee members.

Calica explained that Sen. Panfilo Lacson, as chairman of the Committee of Defense, automatically became a chairman of the Congressional Oversight Committee pursuant to the provisions under R.A. 10121, Sec. 26, adding that the chairman of the Defense Committee at the House, Muntinlupa Representative Rodolfo Biazon automatically became Lacson’s counterpart.

           

COCDRRM members included are Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong, Nueva Ecija Rep. Josefina Joson, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, Ang Kasangga Rep. Teodorico Haresco and Camarines Sur Rep Diosdado Arroyo.

Calica revealed that last Monday was an organizational meeting where the Congressional Oversight Committee is set to meet again on June for the adoption of the rules of procedure which was tasked to evaluate the accomplishments and impact of R.A. 10121 as well as the performance and organizational structure of its implementing agencies every five years or as necessary to ensure that it remains relevant at all times.

COCDRRM rules of procedures stated that the Committee has the authority to prescribe and adopt guidelines that will govern its work;  recommend the adoption of legislation and other legislative measures pursuant to its findings; conduct hearings, investigations, receive testimonies and reports relevant to its mandate, summon by subpoena any witness to testify before it or require by subpoena to produce documents, books, records and other papers as may be necessary in the performance of its functions; and secure from any department, bureau, office or instrumentality of government any assistance as may be needed, including technical information, preparation and production of reports and submission of recommendations and plans as it may require.

Last year, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed R.A. 10121 to strengthen the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMC) and to institutionalize disaster risk management at all levels of government to better cope with the various calamities that hit the country yearly. (Jason de Asis)