President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the construction of additional dedicated evacuation centers and the enhanced use of technology to strengthen disaster preparedness.

“Kasama ng mga mahahalagang imprastraktura, dadagdagan pa natin ang mga makabagong evacuation centers na ating naipatayo na,” President Marcos said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

“Hindi na dapat pang gamitin bilang evacuation center ang ating mga paaralan,” the President ordered.

The Chief Executive also instructed government agencies to continue improving their disaster preparedness and response.

President Marcos said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) have adopted new technologies for more timely and effective weather prediction.

Mobile command and control vehicles of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have also been distributed to 11 local government units, initially, for more efficient rescue operations.

“Hindi tayo dapat tumigil sa ating mga ginagawang paghahanda dahil ang banta ay patuloy na naririyan. Dapat ay maging likas at automatic na ang mga wastong gawi sa tuwing may sakuna,” President Marcos said. | PND