By Mariela Angella Oladive
Disaster preparedness and emergency response in Ajuy are set to improve with the construction of a Resilience Hub in Barangay Malayuan, a joint initiative of the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO-Iloilo) and the Ajuy Municipal DRRMO.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Ajuy Mayor Jett Rojas led the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility on Wednesday, March 19.
The Resilience Hub will serve as a command center during emergencies, equipped with critical resources, rescue equipment, and trained responders to ensure swift action in disaster situations.
Neighboring towns are also expected to benefit from its services.
“This Resilience Hub is part of our commitment to equipping local communities with the necessary tools and knowledge to handle disasters effectively,” Defensor said.
Beyond emergency response, the facility will function as a training center for community-based disaster risk reduction programs, offering workshops and hands-on training to help residents safeguard lives and property during calamities.
Rojas emphasized the project’s significance in reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening the overall safety of Ajuy.
The Resilience Hub aligns with the Iloilo provincial government’s broader disaster management strategy, reinforcing proactive measures to protect communities and sustain livelihoods.
The province also recently inaugurated a PHP10-million Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Inter-Agency Resilience Hub in Carles, the first of its kind completed through local government collaboration.
