Manila, Feb. 20 -- As part of its efforts to build up its disaster response capabilities, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced that it is looking to partner with the Israeli government in the field of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats as this covers a range of hazards that can significantly affect public health and safety.

"Israel has proven itself as a leader in disaster management and innovation. Our discussions today open exciting avenues for collaboration that could significantly enhance our disaster response capabilities, especially in the face of natural calamities and potential CBRN threats," OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.

During Wednesday's courtesy call...