EVEN as the opposition and several critics have been accusing President Aquino of mismanaging the government, particularly the country’s economy, one of his allies in the Malacañang-controlled House of Representatives wants to make the President the country’s “disaster czar.”

Liberal Party Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City is urging Mr. Aquino to assume the post of a powerful disaster management czar to address every national calamity situation.

Castelo said in a statement that although the Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, has named the defense secretary as chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the key and decisive disaster management player is the President.

In every calamitous situation, the disaster management czar will have to address four major areas: disaster preparedness, disaster mitigation, emergency response, and post-disaster rehabilitation of victims, he said.

But this early, critics are rebuking Castelo for his suggestion, saying that with Mr. Aquino having a hard time running the country, it would be a “disaster” if another job is given to him especially the one that requires saving the people’s lives.

“’Eh nung madalas nga ang bagyo kung siputin iyung disaster briefings late siya, gagawin mo pang disaster czar?” a member of the lower chamber said.

Castelo said Congress could look into the possibility of providing the President with additional powers to become the disaster management czar, particularly post-disaster rehabilitation of victims, which is considered crucial in disaster management.

The legislator proposed that the disaster management czar should be empowered to manage disaster risk reduction and operations during crisis situation, provide better disaster mapping nationwide, and identify all areas prone to disasters, and the adoption of disaster preparedness programs at grassroots level.

“This is the age of disasters – both natural and man-made. We have no choice but to adapt, as Mother Nature exacts its vengeance for all the abuses that have been committed by man.”

Meanwhile, Castelo said Congress could amend RA 10121 to mandate the teaching of disaster management and preparedness to elementary school children who he said are the frequent victims of calamities.

Also, Castelo said the time-honored spirit of bayanihan should be inculcated into the mind of schoolchildren, as they get educated on the necessity of disaster management.