JERUSALEM — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, September 4, visited Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) for disaster response and rehabilitation presentation and viewing of equipment.
During the presentation at the MDA’s complex, the President was enthused to have the same disaster response system.
Having advanced technological devices for disaster response and rehabilitation like the MDA’s would be beneficial for the Philippines, especially in times of disaster like terrorist attacks.
“There’s a lot of terror attacks going on, not only here but all over the world and my country is no exception. We just had about two explosions in one of the provinces in Mindanao. And we expect more. And I’m sure that your government… Israel government would only be willing to help us,” he said after the simulation of MDA’s response system.
The Magen David Adom is the State of Israel’s national organization responsible for the emergency, disaster response, pre-hospital care, and blood services, an equivalent of a National Red Cross Organization.
During the demonstration of MDA, President Duterte lauded the remarkable effectiveness of the team.
“You got it right. The rescue was punctual and I would say that — and precise, the way you handled it. Of course, it could have been a product of several practices, but it shows that you are very efficient,” he said.
The President expressed that in times of disaster, emergency responses are essential. He said that in the Philippines, there are several improvements needed for the nation to have an effective disaster response system.
“We have a similar thing like that in my city, but it needs a lot of improvement. Of course, the way you handled the response was very important. And I think that we have to improve on that, “ he explained.
“We have the electronics, it was done by an American company. It’s good but I said we need more transportation and we need more men with experience to respond the way that I’ve seen here,” the Chief Executive said after inspecting the equipment and vehicles of MDA.
Accompanying the President during the MDA’s presentation were Philippine Red Cross Chairman Senator Richard Gordon, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Interior and Local Government Officer-In-Charge Eduardo Año, and Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Secretary Francis Tolentino. ### PND
