Disaster risk reduction law signed in the Philippines

10 June 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The typhoons that hit the country in recent years have become stronger in intensity and caused far greater damage than past weather disturbances.

Typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” battered the nation last year, particularly Metro Manila, as heavy rains submerged several cities, causing countless deaths and several hundred million pesos in damage to property.

The government was hard pressed to answer for last year’s devastation and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) took the brunt of the blame.

It was acknowledged that a lot has to be done to strengthen the NDCC and to institutionalize disaster risk management at all levels of government in order to better cope with the various calamities that hit the nation year after year.

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