Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

OFFICE OF HON. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

Representative, Lone District – San Juan City

PRESS RELEASE

February 6, 2012

Ref: Ria Manuel

09175942755/217-7047

JV CALLS FOR A NATIONAL SUMMIT ON CALAMITY PREPAREDNESS

Following the series of disasters that has shaken the country since December last year, San Juan City Representative JV Ejercito proposed that the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) conduct a national summit for calamity preparedness, in order to train our kababayans of the necessary safety precautions every time a disaster hits the country.

This was the lawmaker’s reaction in response to the 6.9 earthquake that rocked the Negros-Cebu region today, along with the threat of a tsunami. “Disasters have battered us for a decade now, and yet we still lack a firm program that clearly informs and guides our people of safety precautions and for emergency preparedness. That’s why whenever disaster strikes, like in the case of Ondoy, Pedring, and even Sendong, we were left unaware of what to do,” the lawmaker said.

Ejercito said it is high time for NDRRMC to live up to its full mandate, and set the motion needed by the country in terms of progress in disaster awareness, preparedness, and prevention; and not only act during times of catastrophe.

He added that the national government, legislators, and LGU officials should lead the implementation of this summit, and members of the media and civil society as well ought to cooperate for its promotion.

Ejercito finally emphasized that a national summit could at least jumpstart the public to be resilient in case of future flashfloods, earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis.