Manila: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) attributed the high approval rating of the Marcos administration on disaster response and management to the implementation of a holistic approach to the issue. A recent Pulse Asia survey, conducted from March 23 to 29 this year, showed the Marcos administration's efforts to respond to the needs of calamity-affected areas received a 51 percent approval rating.
According to Philippines News Agency, the OCD administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, expressed appreciation for the recognition received from the Filipino people, attributing it to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This directive emphasizes a whole-of-government approach to disaster and calamity response, ensuring that affected individuals' needs are met promptly. Undersecretary Nepomuceno highlighted the President's emphasis on creating a "conveyor belt of aid," which ensures seamless coordination with local government units and swift deployment of assistance programs across affected regions.
"We have proven how the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach works efficiently and effectively, with civil society and private sectors actively involved in disaster management and resilience efforts," Nepomuceno stated. He referenced recent calamities, including six consecutive typhoons last year and the ongoing threat of an explosive eruption of Mount Kanlaon, as examples of the effectiveness of this approach.
Nepomuceno credited the acknowledgment by the Filipino people to the relentless efforts of the 46 member agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), led by its chair, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. The NDRRMC's operations are structured around four key pillars with designated lead agencies: Prevention and Mitigation led by the Department of Science and Technology, Preparedness by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Response by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Recovery and Rehabilitation by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development.
As the secretariat of the council, the OCD plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts among agencies, ensuring proper logistics and timely aid delivery to affected communities, along with strategic risk communications to all stakeholders. Nepomuceno emphasized that the recent survey results serve as both inspiration and a reminder to enhance efforts in disaster preparedness, especially given the increasing severity of disasters due to climate change.
"This recognition reminds us not to be complacent and to continually advance and strengthen our efforts in disaster preparedness to mitigate risks and prevent loss of lives and livelihoods," Nepomuceno said.
