During the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Rep. Brian Poe of FPJ Panday Bayanihan urged support for House Bill No. 1190, which aims to establish a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) in the Philippines.
This proposed department would consolidate the country’s disjointed disaster management efforts under one umbrella, enabling a proactive approach to disaster prevention, preparedness, and adaptation, rather than just reacting to disasters after they strike, as Poe noted during the session on the The Impact of Global Warming – A Parliamentary Call to Protect the Most Vulnerable.
“By unifying the fragmented functions of disaster management under one lead agency, the DDR will shift our focus from post-disaster relief to proactive prevention, preparedness, and adaptation,” Poe said.
He added that the DDR will ensure that every Filipino community, from coastal barangays to mountain villages, becomes truly climate- and hazard-resilient. The proposed department will streamline coordination, ensure accountability, and focus government resources on readiness rather than reaction.
“It will ensure that every Filipino community, from our coastal barangays to our mountain villages, becomes truly climate- and hazard-resilient,” Poe said.
Poe, who has long been involved in disaster relief and resilience work, emphasized that the creation of a single lead agency would allow the Philippines to act more efficiently in the face of typhoons, earthquakes, and other climate-induced disasters.
The lawmaker has been actively leading relief and community assistance efforts since 2013 through his initiatives under FPJ Panday Bayanihan and FPJ Youth. What began as a grassroots volunteer movement has evolved into a sustained nationwide network providing immediate aid to disaster-stricken communities, particularly in the wake of typhoons, floods, fires, and earthquakes.
Over the years, Poe and his team have distributed food packs, hygiene kits, and essential supplies to thousands of affected families across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
In recent months, he has personally spearheaded relief operations in areas hit by major typhoons and earthquakes, coordinating with local governments, volunteers, and private partners to ensure swift and organized delivery of aid.
Beyond emergency response, FPJ Panday Bayanihan has also implemented long-term recovery projects, including school feeding programs, livelihood support for farmers and fisherfolk, and youth-led community rebuilding initiatives.
Rep. Poe’s continued presence on the ground reflects his commitment to the spirit of Bayanihan—helping Filipinos rise and rebuild together, not only during times of crisis but also in strengthening community resilience for the future.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, held in Geneva, Switzerland, gathers lawmakers from national parliaments around the world.
Established in 1889, the IPU serves as the global organization of parliaments and provides a forum for dialogue on pressing international issues, including sustainable development, human rights, and global peace.
Its Assembly remains the IPU’s principal decision-making body, where delegates adopt resolutions and share best practices to strengthen democratic institutions and advance collective action on global challenges.
