OCD meets Canadian officials to enhance PH disaster response

Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines David Bruce Hartman pays a courtesy call to OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno recently at the Camp Aguinaldo office in Quezon City. Photo from OCD.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos may expect improved disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) systems and protocols following a discussion between the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Canadian officials at Camp Aguinaldo, the OCD has said.

In the meeting, the OCD and the Embassy of Canada have explored avenues to enhance their collaboration in civil defense and DRRM.

Civil Defense Administator Under Secretary Ariel Nepomuceno said that the department likewise discussed potential collaborations in the digitalization and the advancement of early warning systems, as well as the review and updating of DRRM protocols, framework, and system.

The enhancement of strategic coordination, the ramping up of preparedness campaigns, and the reinforcement of capacity building programs and activities from the national level down to the local level were also explored.

“We, at the OCD, are very thankful to the Canadian Embassy officials for their all-out support, great partnership programs and commitment to improve the Philippine’s DRRM system,” Nepomuceno said, noting that the Government of Canada has been committed in helping improve the Philippines’ DRRM systems.

Meanwhile, Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency David Bruce Hartman, assured the OCD of Canada’s support in the priority areas.

He also expressed his willingness to collaborate with the Philippine government to better understand its needs and requirements in DRRM.

The Philippines is the most disaster-prone country in the world, the World Risk Report 2022 said.

Last year, over 300,000 Filipinos were affected by repeated heavy rainfall brought by the combined effects of the northeast monsoon, a shear line, and a low pressure area.

The country was likewise rattled by successive earthquakes with the most notable one being a Magnitude 7.4 temblor which jolted Surigao del Sur in early December 2023.