Deputy Nguyễn Thị Huế from Bắc Kạn Province gives her comments on the draft Law on Civil Defence. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The National Assembly (NA) debated the draft Law on Civil Defence during its fourth session on Wednesday.

The deputies agreed on the necessity of building a law that creates favourable conditions for the prevention, control and response to incidents, natural disasters and epidemics, ensuring security and safety for the country.

The lawmakers spent the afternoon discussing definitions of disasters and incidents, how risk levels are assessed and urgent scenarios, among others.

The bill comprises seven chapters and 71 articles clarifying regulations on civil defence activities, the rights and obligations of agencies, organisations and individuals in engaging in the activities, and State management and resources for their implementation.

Deputy Tráng A Dương from Hà Giang Province proposed offering hazard insurance to places and people in the areas where incidents or disasters occur.

He said failures in civil defence responsibilities should be added to the law as prohibited behaviour.

Deputy Phạm Văn Hòa from Đồng Tháp Province said the civil defence is affected by other laws, including laws on national defence, natural disaster prevention and control, national security and fire prevention and control.

Regulations in the draft civil defence law need to be more specific. The draft law mentions four levels of civil defence, each managed by different levels of authority. Hòa said the responsibilities of each authority level must be clarified to avoid overlaps.

Deputy Nguyễn Thị Huế from Bắc Kạn Province proposed the compiling committee study the law, given the fact that civil defence is part of national defence, including measures to prevent, combat and overcome consequences of disasters and serious incidents and protect people, agencies, organisations and national economy.

She proposed further study to complete the provision on applying science and technology in civil defence.

“The application of science is not only in the construction of civil defence works but also in civil defence activities and equipment,” she said.

Other deputies said the definition of emergencies and mobilising forces in response to urgent situations must be clarified.

At the discussion on November 1, legislators held that the building of the law would help deal with current problems and obstacles in the implementation of civil defence activities, meeting the requirements in national construction and safeguarding as well as protection of the people, agencies, organisations and the civil economy.

Earlier on August 30, 2022, the Politburo issued a resolution on civil defence until 2030 and the following years, which included a goal to build a Law on Civil Defence by 2025.

Also on Wednesday, lawmakers approved the law on amendments and supplementations to several articles of the Law on Radio Frequencies. — VNS