15 SENATORS SUPPORT SB 3480 TO INVESTIGATE "CAUSES, CIRCUMSTANCES, COSTS AND ACTIONS" OF CALAMITIES AND RECOMMEND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Before the close of Tuesday's Senate session, a total of 15 senators supported Senate Bill 3480, which seeks to investigate the causes and costs of calamities such as those wrought by Tropical Storm Ondoy (international name "Ketsana") and Typhoon Pepeng (international name "Parma") and recommend measures to prevent the occurrence of similar tragedies.

The bill's principal author is Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, while its co-authors are: Senators Edgardo Angara, Noynoy Aquino, Alan Peter Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Jamby Madrigal, Nene Pimentel, Mar Roxas, and Miguel Zubiri.

SB 3480 is called "An Act creating a commission to conduct a comprehensive fact-finding investigation of the causes, circumstances, costs and actions to be taken in light of the disasters and calamities due to Tropical Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng, recommend measures to prevent the occurrence of similar tragedies brought about by these calamities, and for other purposes."

Pangilinan states in his bill: "Despite [the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 1898], the government failed to deliver the basic needs like food, clothing and shelter [to] the typhoon-stricken victims in Manila and nearby provinces. Pre-emptive evacuation was not strictly implemented. Medical assistance was not timely rendered. Relief operations were unreasonably delayed. In light of the recent calamities, a national commission should be created to undertake fact-finding investigation of the causes, circumstance, costs and actions to be taken in order to avoid the massive destruction caused by typhoon Pepeng and tropical storm Ondoy."

Aside from the fact-finding investigation, the roles of the proposed Commission shall be: to receive, review and evaluate evidence relevant to the investigation; recommend a rehabilitation plan to replace and repair damaged infrastructure; and turn over to the "appropriate prosecutorial authorities all evidence involving any person when in the course of its investigation"; among others.