DUMAGUETE CITY, July 27 -- The local government of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental on Monday welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s disaster preparedness initiatives outlined in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying these would strengthen the city's capability to respond to emergencies.

Seth Bariga, Canlaon City Public Information Officer-designate, said the President's proposed programs would improve access to government interventions and help residents prepare for disasters.

"We have been facing disaster after disaster, from the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon to Super Typhoon Tino that caused massive and unprecedented flooding in the city," Bariga said.

He said while the national government had immediately provided reli...