Palace bares 'master plan' in disaster relief

MANILA - What's the government "master plan" to handle disasters such as super typhoon typhoon "Yolanda?" According to Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is tasked to provide for comprehensive, all-hazards, multisectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach to disaster risk reduction and management. Coloma said the President as Chief Executive "is supervising the entire operation to help the victims of typhoon Yolanda. "As Chief Executive, he is directly assisted by the Executive Secretary and Cabinet Secretary," he said. The chairman of the NDRRMC is the Secretary of Defense while the co-chairman is the Interior and Local Government Secretary. A Defense Undersecretary acts as NDRRMC executive director and administrator of the Office of Civil Defense. Coloma also showed the various tasks of the Cabinet officials. DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman is in charge of relief and aid, DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya handles transportation, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima handles logistics of supplies/aid, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson handles infrastructure, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin handles defense, Health Secretary Enrique Ona handles health needs and Communications goes to Coloma. ANC, November 14, 2013