Bulacan’s provincial government has partnered with NLEX Corp. and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) to enhance the province’s disaster preparedness and resilience.

The collaboration conducted a two-day forum at the Hiyas ng Bulacan on Friday to equip about 70 policymakers, civil servants, and disaster response personnel with the knowledge and tools to craft responsive policies and legislation addressing the increasing risks and impacts of natural disasters.

In an interview on Friday, Bulacan Vice Governor Alex Castro highlighted the timeliness of the initiative, given the frequency and intensity of recent calamities.

“Bilang public servant, mahalagang patuloy tayong matuto upang mas malayo ang marating ng ating bansa at mapabuti ang kalagayan ng ating mga mamamayan (As public servants, it is important to continue learning to ensure a better future for our country and improve the plight of the people),” he said.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) Secretary Ma. Perpetua Santos said that policy is only meaningful if it is implementable.

“Disaster preparedness ordinances must be crafted with technical experts from the start to ensure they are enforceable, doable, and effective,” she said.

Meanwhile, NLEX president and general manager Luis Reñon said the workshop “empowers local governance, encourages proactive planning, and strengthens collaboration among stakeholders.”

A similar workshop was conducted in the municipality of Marilao, with participation from local government officials and civil service staff.

Article by Manny Balbin | Philippine News Agency