Gilbert S.

Vasquez
2020 – 0002
NREL Sec. 65, Sat 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Reaction Paper on the Philippine Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010

What comes to mind when I hear the government office National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) are the numerous natural calamities which devastated the country and
negatively impacted our lives. It was still vivid to me when in 2009 we had Typhoon Ondoy. I had to
rush from Quezon City to Cainta, Rizal, braved the neck-deep flood along the way just to check on my
relatives stuck at home with no electricity and provisions. By the time I reached the subdivision gate in
Cainta, barangay officials prevented us from going inside the subdivision due to high-flood water. I had
to squeeze in and find a comfortable spot for me temporarily with the rest of other residents inside a 7-
11 convenience store. Section 2 of RA 10121 highlighted in the first paragraph of its declaration of
policy provided in part that it shall be the policy of the State to uphold the people’s constitutional rights
to life and property by addressing the root cause of vulnerabilities to disasters, among others. I think
the law’s recognition of the people’s constitutional right to life and property provided a framework and
general direction on the tenor of the law and how it will be implemented.
The video “Surge: Stories of Perspective” highlighted the importance of people’s awareness on
disaster preparedness. If people have ample knowledge and information on this matter, they will own
and take accountability to make themselves prepared for any eventuality of disaster. In fact, the man
who spoke in the video summed up the importance of people at the ground level being informed and
empowered to act. The man said, “Iba kapag involved yung tao, yung buong community; yung iba
indigenous procedures.” The video “10 things you should know about disaster risk reduction” focused
too much data from abroad. It would have been better if the report should have presented data on
natural disasters in the Philippines in the last ten (10) years and the government and people’s response
to it. However, the video is still relevant and eye-opener when it stated that disasters cost nearly US$ 1
trillion worth of damage, more than the value of Google, Walmart and Toyota combined. Equally
alarming is the lives lost at 28 million which is equivalent to the entire population of Australia and an
average of 300 death per day.
The provisions of the law are sufficient to address and fulfill its objectives enumerated in its
declaration of policy. Like other laws, there is one central inter-agency government body, that is the
NDRRMC, which provides a framework at the national level, providing strategic institutional and
structural coordination mechanisms to various levels of the government, from the regional down to the
barangay level. Aside from this, the law recognizes that the objectives of the law would be successfully
realized if mirror offices are situated at the regional, provincial, city or municipal, and barangay levels.
However, I think, the law has still a lot of opportunities. Given the regularity of natural disasters in the
country, there should be a separate department at the cabinet level not only to bring up the discussion
on natural disasters with a wider scope but also to allocate more budget and resources, not only to be
able to mobilize them in times of need. Another important aspect of the law is the declaration by the
President of the Philippines of a state of emergency, upon recommendation by the NDRRMC. During
such state, concerned member-agencies are mandate to immediately undertake remedial measures,
such as price ceiling on necessities and prime commodities.