Pedestrians brave the flood along EDSA Munoz on July 2024 as the typhoon Carina-enhanced habagat batters the capital region. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the need for government agencies and communities to continue improve disaster response and strategy.

This as the president noted “evolving circumstances” such as frequent and stronger typhoons due to climate change and seismic activities.

“It includes our individual obligation to follow proactive, vigilant, and adaptable strategies for our own and our communities’ safety," Marcos Jr. said in his speech at the 24th Gawad KALASAG awarding ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13.

The ceremony recognized local government units, organizations, educational institutions and other stakeholders who “actively promote disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance initiatives” to mitigate the impact of disasters and hazards to high-risk communities.

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Marcos Jr. further urged the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and local government units to develop science-based and sustainable solutions for more effective disaster response. 

 He added that the government is “consolidating” new technologies and best practices in disaster response. 

 “I once again call on the NDRRMC and all other concerned agencies and the LGUs — our always our first responders —  to continue working together to develop innovative solutions that are science-based, that are sustainable, and are future-ready, and establish clear guidelines for more effective disaster-response,” he added.

 The chief executive also highlighted the critical role of early decision-making, information dissemination and proper communication. 

 “‘Yan talaga sa palagay ko ang pinakamahalaga na pagbabago sa ating approach dito sa pag – sa disaster relief, disaster rehabilitation. Dahil ‘pag inantay pa natin na magkakaproblema ay ‘yun na nga doon tayo nagkakaroon ng malaking casualty,” he said.  

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The president also stressed the need to continue improving evacuation centers.

 “Kaya ‘yung mga dati nating evacuation center ay kailangan pagandahin pa, patibayin pa para hindi tayo magkaproblema doon sa mga nilikas na ating mga kababayan,” Marcos Jr. noted.

The commander-in-chief also took note of his administration’s “Build Back Better” strategy in recovery, rehabilitation, and in reconstruction of communities ravaged by disasters.