Manila: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has expressed its full support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for intensified disaster preparedness in the face of global climate change. "OCD continues to intensify coordination with national and local agencies to ensure that disaster readiness becomes part of the country's daily routine," the OCD said in a statement Tuesday night.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos emphasized the need for earthquake drills to become normalized and for continuous tropical cyclone preparedness during his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday afternoon. He highlighted the necessity for all Filipinos to cooperate with the government in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

The OCD mentioned that it has embraced the principle of continuous improvement, utilizing every experience to refine strategies and strengthen public safety training. The agency also endorsed Marcos' call for infrastructure upgrades, stating that the government plans to construct modern evacuation centers nationwide to reduce reliance on schools as temporary shelters. The OCD is collaborating with key agencies to expedite this initiative.

Marcos also underscored the importance of advanced technology in saving lives and predicting the effects of calamities. In response, the OCD, along with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), is working to enhance the use of Doppler radars, broadband seismic stations, landslide sensors, and disaster field books.

Furthermore, the OCD noted that local government units have received additional command and control vehicles to enhance rapid response capabilities with the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).