PARTIDO Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson renewed his vow to rightsize the different bureaucratic organizations under the executive branch to optimize the delivery of essential public services and state-funded programs at less cost to taxpayers.

Lacson brought up the issue when he was asked how he plans to enhance government response during disaster situations, especially in areas where the local government units lack the capacity to provide immediate help to affected citizens and handle everything.

The presidential candidate also expressed his reservations on the proposal to create a Department of Disaster Resilience, saying a bureau under the Office of the President would be enough to consolidate the efforts of various government agencies in responding to natural calamities.

“Huwag na nating gawing departamento kasi may rightsizing na guidance na si Pangulong Duterte. Create tayo nang create ng bagong departamento, bloated na ‘yung ating bureaucracy,” Lacson said.

He explained that while the presence of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Office of Civil Defense are felt in times of disaster, an agency attached to the Office of the President might help make things more efficient in the long run.

He said that a duly authorized unit tasked to coordinate the strategic efforts of all government agencies might also deliver longer lasting benefits for disaster-stricken communities.

He made this proposal after gaining some valuable insights into crisis and disaster management following his stint as “Yolanda” rehabilitation czar.

“Ang prinopose ko noon after nung exit call sa ‘Yolanda’, mag-create ng isang office under the Office of the President. Kasi ‘pag NDRRMC, council, at ‘pag council nandiyan lahat ‘yung miyembro ng Gabinete, mga members sila. E bago makapag-convene ‘yan, napakatagal. Although ang OCD, ‘yung immediate response, nandiyan naman sila, may capability naman sila,” Lacson said.

Under his proposal, someone adept at crisis management will be tasked to call the shots in planning and executing disaster response mechanisms, with proper guidance from and coordination with concerned agencies.

This would be a slight departure from the current system where the NDRRMC, chaired by the Secretary of National Defense and co-chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and Local
Government, will have to meet with all the members of the council first before arriving at a decision.

“Puwede namang i-integrate sa pamamagitan ng isang office na bigyan ng sapat na authority, kapangyarihan, responsibility at pondo, resources na hindi kasing laki ng isang departamento,” Lacson explained.

“Kasi ‘pag nag-create tayo ng department, siyempre, papagawa nung opisina na pagkalaki-laki, papagawa ng mga regional offices, mag-a-appoint ng mga regional director—ang daming Usec, ang daming Asec—ubos ‘yung pera natin sa overhead,” he added.