Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, a shared responsibility- Defense chief

DAVAO CITY, July 1 (PIA)- Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, chair of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council urged all sectors of government and the citizenry to share in the responsibility in the risk reduction and management.

In a statement read by Loreto Rirao, director of the Office of Civil Defense XI during the launching program of the National Disaster Consciousness Month at the People’s Park here, he urged all stakeholders to take the whole-of-nation approach in mitigating the impact of calamities to communities.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “ Ligtas na Bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan.”

Gazmin said every government agency is required to provide the best services for the safety and welfare of the resident through the spirit of helping one another through Bayanihan.

“Let our experiences in previous disasters guide ask in perfecting the craft of disaster risk reduction,” he said.

Gazmin said government functionaries must not only tag along in their involvement in risk reduction and management but must share and contribute proactively to the effort to save lives.

He said that though the Philippines has better performance in risk reduction and management of disaster compared to other Asian countries,  the country has to exert more effort in delivering dynamic and transparent efforts in its activities on the communities.

“Let’s continue to perfect the craft or disaster risk reduction and management,” Gazmin said. 

The celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month in Davao City was preceded by the raising of the balloons and a motorcade on selected thoroughfares of the city ending at the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)