Former Defense Secretary Gilberto (GIBO) Teodoro, Jr. agrees with Vice Presidential frontrunner Mayor Inday Sara Duterte that there must be a disaster response office that is not embedded in the Department of National Defense (DND). This was discussed thoroughly during the “Sara All For You” online program of Mayor Inday Sara where Gibo Teodoro was a guest.

Gibo Teodoro, a candidate for senator, stressed that we must focus down to the Local Government Units (LGUs) and barangays on their respective areas’ varying geographical hazards including the design of the necessary infrastructure. He said that it must be at those levels where the planning and operation of disaster response and risk reduction and climate change adaptation must emanate. They will be supported by what Mayor Inday Sara and Gibo Teodoro referred to as the “Big Brother” or disaster response office which will provide the LGUs and barangays in the capacities where they are lacking.

Gibo Teodoro, a former Tarlac congressman, said that currently the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), is under the DND together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, National Defense College of the Philippines, and the Government Arsenal. In the NDRRMC alone, the Secretary of National Defense is too engaged, and people usually from the AFP are seconded to the other agencies in order to fill in the gaps.