In recent legislative developments concerning disaster risk management in the Philippines, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has advocated for comprehensive reforms aimed at transforming the country’s disaster preparedness and response framework. On July 22, 2025, he built upon the earlier enactment of Republic Act No. 12076, known as the “Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act.” This significant legislation, which Estrada successfully shepherded as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, established a network of permanent, storm-resilient evacuation centers across the nation. He subsequently introduced two additional measures to create a broader disaster readiness blueprint for the country.
Estrada’s primary proposals include the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), a specialized government agency designed to unify, strengthen, and streamline disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts throughout the nation. The proposed DDR Act would designate this new department as the principal government agency responsible for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), climate adaptation, emergency response, and long-term recovery. The agency would lead in the preparation, coordination, and implementation of national and local disaster resilience initiatives, possessing the authority, technical knowledge, and resources to respond effectively to various natural and biological hazards, including typhoons, earthquakes, pandemics, and volcanic eruptions. This initiative aligns with prior actions from the House of Representatives, which approved House Bill No. 8165 in October 2018, advocating for the creation of a DDR and emphasizing a comprehensive national strategy involving all levels of government and society.
In addition to the DDR, Estrada has also promoted the Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile Act. Initially filed during the 19th Congress, this legislation seeks to establish a nationwide network of food and supply hubs in every province and highly urbanized city. These calamity-proof warehouses would be managed collaboratively by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). They are intended to store non-perishable food, potable water, medical supplies, first-aid kits, power sources, tents, and communication devices for rapid deployment during emergencies. The bill mandates that stored items maintain a minimum two-year shelf life and provide sufficient supplies to support local populations for at least three weeks.
Estrada stressed that disaster resilience is an ongoing process that commences well in advance of calamities. This process focuses on prudent planning, community preparedness, and prompt action to prevent unnecessary loss of life and prolonged suffering. He articulated that “Our citizens deserve a government that is prepared not only to respond but also to anticipate and act.”
These legislative initiatives complement broader governmental efforts to enhance disaster resilience. On June 9, 2025, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2999, the proposed “Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act,” principally authored and sponsored by Estrada. This innovative measure would authorize a preemptive declaration of an “imminent disaster” based on scientific forecasts, facilitating the immediate mobilization of resources, in contrast to the existing process of declaring a “State of Calamity” after a disaster has occurred. Estrada noted that, if enacted, the Philippines would become the first country in the region to legislate anticipatory action.
Furthermore, the government is advocating for science-based disaster resilience through the PHIVOLCS Modernization Act (Republic Act No. 12180), which was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on April 24, 2025. This Act, with its final implementing rules and regulations set to be finalized in July 2025, aims to upgrade the equipment of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), expand research capabilities, enhance early warning systems, and improve data-sharing processes, thereby integrating innovation and digitalization into disaster risk management practices.
Additionally, Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has expressed support for President Marcos Jr.’s directive to establish more disaster response centers and has advocated for legislation to institutionalize resilience, including the provision of permanent funding and the establishment of disaster relief hubs nationwide. This underscores a bipartisan and comprehensive effort toward enhancing national resilience.
The National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) 2025, which commenced on July 1, 2025, reinforces the theme “KUMIKILOS para sa Kahandaan, Kaligtasan, at Katatagan,” which translates to “Taking Action for Preparedness, Safety, and Stability.” This theme emphasizes shared responsibility and collective action. It aligns with calls for robust collaboration among local government units and environmental agencies to address the complex challenges posed by climate-driven extreme weather and land degradation, which are expected to exacerbate risks associated with water insecurity and flooding. As articulated by DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva in June 2025, prevention must be prioritized as the default investment strategy, supported by international collaboration and inclusive access to resources.
