Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) should be allowed to stage forced evacuations as natural disasters strike, senatorial candidate Ronald Dela Rosa said.

During Saturday’s CNN Philippines Senatorial Debate, the former police chief proposed to authorize cops to force Filipinos to evacuate their homes in order to prevent casualties.

"Ang casualty palagi ay yung mga matitigas ang ulo… Dapat ang pulis may power na arestuhin pag ayaw umalis,” Dela Rosa said. “Kung kinakailangan ng pulis na mang-aresto para ma-save ang buhay nila, gawin natin ‘yan.”

[Translation: "Often, the casualties are residents who refuse to leave their homes. The police should have the power to arrest them. If the police needs to arrest them just to save their lives, let's do that."]

But former Quezon Representative Erin Tañada opposed Dela Rosa’s proposal, saying the police cannot force residents out of their homes.

Dela Rosa also floated the need to create a Department of Disaster Management, whose primary mandate will be prevention and disaster response to natural hazards.

Dela Rosa and Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano were asked about their plans to reduce risks drawn from natural calamities.

During the Faceoff, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano said the Philippines needs to draft a “clear disaster resilience policy” that will guide government response during this time of need, like what his pending proposal at the House of Representatives seeks to do.

“I hope the President would sign the proposed bill para may dedicated na ahensya ng gobyerno na may alokasyon [so that there will be a specific government agency with a budget for disaster response],” Alejano said.

Senatorial bets Samira Gutoc, Raffy Alunan, and Florin Hilbay also stressed the importance of crafting preparation and evacuation plans well ahead of any disaster.

READ: 11 candidates face off at CNN Philippines Senatorial Debate

The Philippines was hit by a series of earthquakes this week, starting with a magnitude 6.1 tremor that struck parts of Luzon on Monday, leaving at least 18 dead. Another magnitude 6.5 quake hit Eastern Samar Tuesday while a magnitude 5.5 shook Surigao del Norte on Friday.

Monday’s earthquake has been classified as “strong” but not major, with the Big One expected to clock in at magnitude 7 or higher.

A string of aftershocks were also felt in the aftermath of these tremors. PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum, Jr. added that the successive shaking are unlikely to trigger the West Valley Fault, which they said is ripe for movement.