Manila, March 19 -- The Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) panel will help align government response and advance the development of a comprehensive national contingency plan, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday.

Cayetano said the ad hoc committee will strengthen coordination among national agencies, local governments, and the private sector through a whole-of-government approach.

Senate Resolution No. 350, authored by Cayetano and co-authored by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, establishes the panel following an earlier resolution urging the Executive Branch to craft a National Contingency Framework and Plan.

Under the measur...