AN official from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday pushed for the passage of a bill that would create the Department of Disaster Resilience.

NDRRMC spokesman Mark Timbal said at the Laging Handa public briefing that they were hoping that the next administration will see the value of having such a department as they look forward to the next Congress for its approval.

“We would like to push for the creation of the disaster department law, the Department of Disaster Resilience, that was espoused by our President (Rodrigo Duterte) during his last SONA (State of the Nation Address),” he said.

It will be recalled that in January, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd admitted that the bill will not be approved by the 18th Congress, citing intense interpellation.

Senators Franklin Drilon and Panfilo Lacson had opposed the proposal to create the Department of Disaster Resilience, citing impracticability and possible lack of funding.

The House of Representatives approved its version of the bill in 2020.

Timbal in the same briefing reminded local government units and disaster risk reduction offices to prepare as the rainy season starts in the country.