The Philippines has expressed its commitment to share its capabilities in handling disaster situations with countries in Asia and Africa to minimize casualties in the event of the future tsunami or devastating earthquake, according to a news release from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo made the statement during discussions on Asia-Africa cooperation in disaster reduction at the ministerial meeting at the 2005 Asia-Africa Summit in Jakarta Wednesday.

"Because of its geographical location, the Philippines, like many of the countries represented in this meeting, is frequently confronted by natural disasters. It is therefore imperative for our country to have a disaster preparedness program," Romulo said.

He said, "We believe that our country, to a large extent, has been able to respond well to the natural disasters it has experienced in recent years. The Philippines has been able to formulate and implement an effective program and mechanism to prepare and deal with disasters and their aftermath, including relief and rehabilitation, which it can share with countries in Asia and Africa."

Romulo cited the establishment of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) of the Philippines which includes, among its members, almost all the Department Secretaries, including those of National Defense, Public Works and Highways, transportation and Communications, Social Services and Development, Agriculture, Health, Natural Resources, Trade and Industry and Finance. It also includes the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Red Cross.

He said that each of these council has counterparts in the regional and municipal levels, making it easier to coordinate from the national level to the local levels.

"There is also a disaster preparedness plan down to the local level and a standby fund to enable the government to take immediate action even before the disaster strikes, like a super typhoon, or right after its strikes like an earthquake," he said.

He cited the Philippines contributions to regional disaster and rehabilitation operations after calamities struck neighboring countries, like the recent tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia and Africa just before the end of last year.

"The Philippines has medical and engineering teams which have been prepared for such events and which are ready for immediate deployment to help in the relief and a rehabilitation of a country that is devastated by a natural disaster."

President Arroyo endorsed the proposal of Thailand to establish a regional tsunami early warning center in support of initiatives on addressing tsunami disasters at the Special ASEAN Leaders Meeting on the Aftermath of the Earthquake and the Tsunami held in Jakarta on Jan, 6.

Source: Xinhua