BEYOND RESILIENCE:

How President Bongbong Marcos Jr.'s administration tackles disaster preparedness

- BY MIGUEL LIBOSADA

Filipinos are often described as "resilient," thanks to their ability to withstand adversity and find ways to bounce back from challenging experiences.

However, incompetence lurks behind the use (or abuse) of this commendable trait—some people in power hide behind the word, using it to describe Filipinos while leaving them behind in times of crisis and genuine need for development.

This is often the case when disaster preparedness is talked about.

While many commend Filipinos for finding ways to survive calamities (such as flooding), they should not be left alone to fend for themselves. Beyond the people's resilience, there should exist working mechanisms from the leading figures—the government.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. promised to take action to improve the country’s disaster preparedness. Here are some measures his current administration is working on or has promised to the Filipino people:

SWIFT SHELTER AID

The Marcos administration tapped the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to bolster its disaster response strategy. In the aftermath of several typhoons in 2024, DHSUD mobilized programs to assist those affected by the calamities.

Among its key initiatives is the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP), which provides monetary aid to affected families.