A lawmaker on Monday cited the need for the immediate approval of a bill seeking to create the Disaster Resiliency and Alertness Management (DReAM) Department so the public can sleep soundly and worry less about disasters.
Rep. Alfred Vargas (5th District, Quezon City) said during a press conference at the House of Representatives that the Philippines is the most exposed country in the world to tropical storms, typhoons and other calamities.
“Ang Pilipinas (ay binubuo ng) 7,100 islands, lagi tayong may sakuna, lagi tayong may kaba, so sa tingin ko with the DReAM Department ay makakatulog na tayo ng mahimbing,” Vargas said.
Vargas authored House Bill No. 2001 or the proposed “Disaster Resiliency and Alertness Management (DReAM) Department Act of 2019” which he said will also address the disaster preparedness and disaster resilience concerns regarding transparency and accountability.
When asked to compare the difference between the DReAM Department and the two disaster-related agencies, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Vargas clarified that there are coordination challenges between NDRRMC which is just a council and the OCD which is under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Both the NDRRMC and the OCD are agencies concerned with the protection and welfare of people during emergencies and disasters.
Vargas further said that at the ground level, the local government units also encounter problems in communication during these calamities and disasters.
He said the DReAM Department shall take care of all disaster-resilience related matters, including before, during and after disasters. It will be headed by a Cabinet Secretary who will be assisted and helped by Undersecretaries.
Vargas said if for example an LGU gets affected by a typhoon, the DReam Department's local disaster component will ensure immediate help from other LGUs nearby or even from other neighboring provinces as well because the agency is headed by a Secretary.
He said it shall be the Secretary of the DReAM Department who will recommend to the President to declare if there is a state of calamity.
As to the timeline regarding the creation of the DReAM Department, Vargas said it should be as soon as possible once the DReAM Department bill becomes a law.
“We would like to invoke Section 48 and Section 52 of the House Rules which states that when the bill passes third reading, by the vote of the majority, pwede na talagang ma fast-track ito, tutal certified as urgent naman ito and if the Majority Leader and the Speaker choose, ay pwedeng-pwede talagang mapabilis itong pag-approve nang department na ito,” he said.
Vargas said there is also a need for a department like DReAM to be able to handle and manage international grants, international funds, international donations with accountability and transparency and quickness.
As to the question of government agencies involved in disaster management and preparation being devolved under a single department, Vargas replied in the affirmative saying that the Secretary of the DReAM Department will be the overall head.
“Per local government, lahat yun under na sa DReAM Department. So this means mas mabilis na yung coordination, tapos hindi na mag-alala sa mga overlaps. Kung ano yung kumpas ng executive, maibababa kaagad sa mga tao. Malinaw lahat,” he said.
Vargas said that based on experience, “ang dami natin na experience - miscommunication, daming spillage, ang daming nasayang, ang daming hindi nagamit, mga relief goods mahati or napupunta sa iba na hindi dapat.” He said the DReAM Department will address all these concerns.
He said that the DReAM Department will have its own funds and its Secretary shall have the access to all the funds, but shall respect the autonomy of the LGUS regarding their funds.
As for foreign donations, Vargas said they will make sure all the rules and practices regarding disaster diplomacy will be followed.
“As we all know very tricky yan. Kailangan talaga mayroon declaration bago tayo makatanggap. Before, nagkaroon ng confusion dahil papano ba talaga. Dapat with DReAM Department, it will be easier to accept foreign aid,” he said.
Vargas cited a provision of the bill which states that the DReAM Department Secretary, whenever necessary, can activate an Ad Hoc interagency committee to orchestrate efforts of concerned entities.
He added that the bill carries an oversight component composed of six senators and six congressmen and a provision on sunset review. /Ma. Victoria Palomar / News and Documentation Section-Press and Public Affairs Bureau/House of Representatives of the Philippines
http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=11638
Monday, July 29, 2019
S. Leyte, S. Cotabato poll aspirants reminded to refile COCs
By Ferdinand Patinio
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded candidates, who already filed certificates of candidacy (COC) in the last May 13 mid-term elections, to file anew their COCs for vacant House of Representatives seats of the reapportioned Southern Leyte and South Cotabato legislative districts.
The poll body has issued Resolution No. 10551, which requires the May 13 poll aspirants to resubmit their COCs if they want to run in the special polls set on October 26, 2019.
"The COCs for member of House of Representatives for the Lone Legislative District of Southern Leyte and First Legislative District of South Cotabato that were filed in connection with the May 13, 2019 elections shall not be considered as filed for purposes of the October 26, 2019elections," said the Order promulgated on July 24.
The Comelec earlier suspended the elections for members of House of Representatives in the two provinces to a later date due to operational and logistical constraints, following the passage of Republic Act No. 11198 which divided Southern Leyte into two legislative districts.
Another law, RA 11243, was also passed reapportioning the first legislative district of South Cobatato that created the separate legislative district of General Santos City.
The filing period of COCs in the upcoming special elections will be from August 26 to 28.
The COCs may be filed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte; at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first district of South Cotabato; and at the Office of the Election Officer for those running in the legislative district of General Santos City.
The aspirants are required to accomplish and file a sworn COC in the form prescribed by the poll body.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1076363
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded candidates, who already filed certificates of candidacy (COC) in the last May 13 mid-term elections, to file anew their COCs for vacant House of Representatives seats of the reapportioned Southern Leyte and South Cotabato legislative districts.
The poll body has issued Resolution No. 10551, which requires the May 13 poll aspirants to resubmit their COCs if they want to run in the special polls set on October 26, 2019.
"The COCs for member of House of Representatives for the Lone Legislative District of Southern Leyte and First Legislative District of South Cotabato that were filed in connection with the May 13, 2019 elections shall not be considered as filed for purposes of the October 26, 2019elections," said the Order promulgated on July 24.
The Comelec earlier suspended the elections for members of House of Representatives in the two provinces to a later date due to operational and logistical constraints, following the passage of Republic Act No. 11198 which divided Southern Leyte into two legislative districts.
Another law, RA 11243, was also passed reapportioning the first legislative district of South Cobatato that created the separate legislative district of General Santos City.
The filing period of COCs in the upcoming special elections will be from August 26 to 28.
The COCs may be filed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte; at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first district of South Cotabato; and at the Office of the Election Officer for those running in the legislative district of General Santos City.
The aspirants are required to accomplish and file a sworn COC in the form prescribed by the poll body.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1076363
Candidates need to file COCs anew to run for vacant House seats in S. Leyte, S. Cotabato
By Leslie Ann Aquino
Those who filed their Certificates of Candidacy for member of House of Representatives for the Lone Legislative District of Southern Leyte and First Legislative District of South Cotabato in connection with the May 13, 2019 midterm polls, need to file their COCs anew, said the Commission on Elections.
That is, if they are planning to run for the reapportioned district representatives of Southern Leyte and South Cotabato in the October 26 polls.
“The COCs for member of House of Representatives for the Lone Legislative District of Southern Leyte and First Legislative District of South Cotabato that were filed in connection with the May 13, 2019 elections shall not be considered as filed for purposes of the October 26, 2019 elections,” the COMELEC said in Resolution No. 10551.
To note, no person can run for an elective post unless the aspirant accomplishes and files a sworn COC in the form prescribed by the Commission.
The poll body set the first regular elections on October 26 for the representative of the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte and the first and third (lone) legislative districts of South Cotabato.
The Comelec earlier suspended the holding of elections for district representatives of these provinces to a date later than May 13, 2019 due to operational and logistical constraints, in view of the passage of laws reapportioning the said legislative districts.
Republic Act No. 11198 reapportioning Southern Leyte into two legislative districts became effective on February 19, 2019, while R.A. No. 11243 reapportioning the first legislative district of South Cotabato thereby creating the lone legislative district of General Santos City became effective on April 4, 2019.
In Resolution No. 10552, the Comelec also issued the guidelines and important dates pertaining to the filing of COC and nomination and acceptance (CONA) by candidates of political parties or coalitions for electing the district representatives of Southern Leyte and South Cotabato.
Based on the said Resolution, political parties or coalitions may submit a new list of authorized signatories and specimen signatures before the Law Department not later than August 15, 2019.
The poll body said COCs may be filed from 8am to 5pm at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte; at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first district of South Cotabato; and at the Office of the Election Officer for those running in the legislative district of General Santos City from August 26, 2019 to August 28, 2019.
The last day to file a request for correction of the name to appear on the ballot, on the other hand, is on September 11, 2019.
As for substitute candidates, they have until September 18, 2019 to file their request.
The Comelec said the substitute of an official candidate of a duly registered political party or coalition who withdrew his candidacy may file a COC not later than September 16, 2019.
In case of death or disqualification by final judgment, the poll body said the substitute who shall bear the same surname as the substituted may file a COC up to mid-day of Election Day.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/29/candidates-need-to-file-cocs-anew-to-run-for-vacant-house-seats-in-s-leyte-s-cotabato/
Those who filed their Certificates of Candidacy for member of House of Representatives for the Lone Legislative District of Southern Leyte and First Legislative District of South Cotabato in connection with the May 13, 2019 midterm polls, need to file their COCs anew, said the Commission on Elections.
That is, if they are planning to run for the reapportioned district representatives of Southern Leyte and South Cotabato in the October 26 polls.
“The COCs for member of House of Representatives for the Lone Legislative District of Southern Leyte and First Legislative District of South Cotabato that were filed in connection with the May 13, 2019 elections shall not be considered as filed for purposes of the October 26, 2019 elections,” the COMELEC said in Resolution No. 10551.
To note, no person can run for an elective post unless the aspirant accomplishes and files a sworn COC in the form prescribed by the Commission.
The poll body set the first regular elections on October 26 for the representative of the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte and the first and third (lone) legislative districts of South Cotabato.
The Comelec earlier suspended the holding of elections for district representatives of these provinces to a date later than May 13, 2019 due to operational and logistical constraints, in view of the passage of laws reapportioning the said legislative districts.
Republic Act No. 11198 reapportioning Southern Leyte into two legislative districts became effective on February 19, 2019, while R.A. No. 11243 reapportioning the first legislative district of South Cotabato thereby creating the lone legislative district of General Santos City became effective on April 4, 2019.
In Resolution No. 10552, the Comelec also issued the guidelines and important dates pertaining to the filing of COC and nomination and acceptance (CONA) by candidates of political parties or coalitions for electing the district representatives of Southern Leyte and South Cotabato.
Based on the said Resolution, political parties or coalitions may submit a new list of authorized signatories and specimen signatures before the Law Department not later than August 15, 2019.
The poll body said COCs may be filed from 8am to 5pm at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte; at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first district of South Cotabato; and at the Office of the Election Officer for those running in the legislative district of General Santos City from August 26, 2019 to August 28, 2019.
The last day to file a request for correction of the name to appear on the ballot, on the other hand, is on September 11, 2019.
As for substitute candidates, they have until September 18, 2019 to file their request.
The Comelec said the substitute of an official candidate of a duly registered political party or coalition who withdrew his candidacy may file a COC not later than September 16, 2019.
In case of death or disqualification by final judgment, the poll body said the substitute who shall bear the same surname as the substituted may file a COC up to mid-day of Election Day.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/29/candidates-need-to-file-cocs-anew-to-run-for-vacant-house-seats-in-s-leyte-s-cotabato/
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