MANILA – Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, on Friday hailed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration for being proactive in disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.
Nepomuceno, in a statement, said these actions are necessary considering that the Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
“As the most disaster-prone country in the world, preparedness must be a priority for all Filipinos,” he said.
Nepomuceno also highlighted the President’s recent signing of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act as a significant advancement in safeguarding Filipinos, particularly those in high-risk areas.
This law mandates establishing fully equipped, disaster-ready evacuation centers in every city and municipality nationwide. He also commended the administration’s commitment to effective disaster response and management.
“The dedication of President Marcos’ administration and our front-line agencies, along with disaster risk management officials and personnel, is commendable,” he added.
He highlighted the crucial role of a whole-of-government approach in addressing disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, rehabilitation, and recovery.
Citing the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which rated the Marcos administration as “very good” in aiding disaster victims, Nepomuceno said the OCD would continue to empower the public with the essential knowledge to mitigate risks and prevent the loss of life, livelihood, and property.
The survey showed a net satisfaction rating of 65 percent for government assistance to calamity victims in December 2024, an increase of 3 points from the 62 percent recorded in September that year.
“These survey results demonstrate that Filipinos are increasingly aware of the government’s initiatives to enhance disaster response, as well as to promote awareness, preparedness, and management,” Nepomuceno said.
He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various agencies, among them the departments of social welfare, interior, environment, science and technology, and health, as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard, under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, chaired by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
“This satisfactory rating motivates us to strive for even greater excellence,” he said.
Nepomuceno said the assistance extends beyond immediate food and supplies for disaster victims to long-term recovery and resilience-building efforts.
“We aim to help communities recover from the impacts of disasters and rebuild their livelihoods, ensuring they can ‘build back better,’” he said. (PNA)