Guingona to Speak About Philippines ' DRRM Law (RA 10121)
Before Other Asian Countries
(Sen. T.G. Guingona will speak about Disaster Risk Reduction and Management during the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum)

The Philippines is a country exposed to damaging losses from a range of natural catastrophes and severe weather events causing major losses of life and the economy. Thus, Sen. Teofisto "TG" Guingona III believes there is a need for a more comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) framework in the Philippines.

On 6 September 2011, Sen. Guingona will be a guest speaker in the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum on "Sustainable Shelter in an Age of Climate Change and Disaster" to be held in Bangkok, Thailand to discuss Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in the Philippines as a case study for drafting an international disaster response law.

As one of the co-authors of the Philippine's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law or RA 10121, Sen. Guingona was invited to speak in a plenary session to discuss the relationship between disaster response and sustainable development and the coordination challenges faced by humanitarian and development stakeholders.

Enacted in July 2010, the DRRM Law strengthens the Philippine's DRRM System; provides for the National DRRM Framework; and institutionalizes the National DRRM Plan. The DRRM Act paved the way for a paradigm shift, from emergency relief and response, which is reactive in nature to a more proactive approach, which focuses on disaster prevention and risk reduction.

During the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum, Sen. Guingona will be presenting the situation in the Philippines as a case study. Due to its geographical location, the Philippines has been frequently beaten by typhoons, floods, landslides, droughts, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. He will also discuss the salient features of the Philippines' DRRM Law.

To date, various and promising initiatives on good governance, localization and cooperation in DRRM are emerging, and the international governing bodies recognize this.

The Philippine DRMM Law or RA 10121 is the first in Asia and as the brainchild thereof, (together with Cong. Ruffy Biazon). Sen. Guingona is more than willing to share this monumental legislation with the other Asian nations.

Sen. Guingona would be an effective resource person in the drafting of an international disaster response considering that the Philippines has been frequently visited by typhoons, earthquake, volcanic eruption and other kinds of disaster.

The Asia-Pacific Housing Forum will be a valuable opportunity for the Philippines to share its experience in disaster management and response, and in return, acquire useful information and experiences from other disaster stricken countries like Thailand, Japan and Malaysia in order to further strengthen the country's DRMM law and its implementation.