MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis Escudero wants the powers and tasks of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) expanded to include crises affecting Filipinos abroad, like the unrest in Libya.
 
Escudero believes coordination among various government agencies through the NDRRMC would help the government respond better to crises abroad, criticizing the government's response to the political turmoil in Libya, where almost 30,000 Filipinos are working.
 
"Sana pinlano na nila at may contingency plan na sila sa bawat bansa na may matatagpuang Pilipino," he said.
 
Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also believes the government's efforts are inadequate, while acknowledging that it has very limited resources.
 
Marcos said the government must seek the help of other countries with greater means to conduct mass evacuations, including China.
 
He said he has talked to officials of the Chinese embassy in Manila who said Beijing is willing to help Filipinos along with its own citizens
 
"Ang suggestion ko sa kanila, kung maaari, kung meroon silang pickup point, sabihan tayo … makisabay na rin sila," Marcos said. 

"Hopefully this week we will get some kind of response. 'Pagka natuloy 'yon, at least, we are working together with other countries."