By Mariela Angella Oladive
The province of Iloilo hosted its inaugural Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Summit on July 31 at the Pototan Astrodome, highlighting advanced disaster management technologies and showcasing Iloilo’s commitment to enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
Themed “Together Towards Resilience: Empowering Iloilo for a Robust and Progressive Tomorrow,” the summit gathered DRRM officers from 42 municipalities and the city of Passi, alongside emergency responders and volunteer groups.
Organized by the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the event aimed to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
The summit featured an exhibit where each municipality displayed its disaster response equipment and innovations.
Various DRRM assets, resources, and technological advancements were showcased, while communication networks among local government units (LGUs) were strengthened.
“This is the first Provincial DRRM Summit we’ve conducted, and we are overwhelmed by the support of our MDRRMOs and other respective agencies. This is a singular act of unity and a higher level of collaboration. We want to create awareness among the people that DRRM offices are here to provide necessary assistance during disasters,” said PDRRMO chief Cornelio Salinas.
In attendance were Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Serafin P. Barreto Jr., DILG-6 Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-6 Director Raul Fernandez, Pototan Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-6 Director Ralph Joseph Moncatar, and other key stakeholders.
Usec Barreto, who served as the keynote speaker, praised the Iloilo provincial government, under the governor’s leadership, for its innovations and best practices in disaster response and management.
“Through this gathering, we can share insights, strategies, and best practices, reinforcing our collective commitment to safeguarding our communities. Iloilo has demonstrated exceptional foresight in dealing with disasters,” Barreto said.
He emphasized that the DILG stands firmly behind Iloilo’s initiatives and efforts in building a more resilient, well-prepared, and sustainable community.
Meanwhile, Gov. Defensor underscored the urgency of a development approach to address disasters and other emergencies.
He cited the institutionalization of the Provincial Civil Defense Service of Iloilo (ProCiD Serv Iloilo) as a comprehensive system to handle various emergencies, including climate change, insurgency, and public safety.
“We use our approach in DRRM in working for other concerns and threats that we are facing here in the province of Iloilo and the rest of the country. Moving forward, that is the direction that DRRM is giving us. Urgent development – we develop these areas and we address those problems that usually pertain to the fundamentals,” he said.
In line with disaster preparedness, the provincial government distributed P1 million in financial aid to all 43 LGUs to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and support the “Tanum Iloilo” tree-planting project.
Additionally, communication devices and portable generating systems were provided to promote renewable energy use.
The municipality of San Enrique received P1.5 million for disaster tools, while Tigbauan received P5 million for constructing a Civil Defense Operations Hub.
“This summit is a gathering of force and an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders,” the governor added.
DICT-6 Director Moncatar emphasized the importance of innovation and proactive planning.
“Let us embrace innovation, collaboration, and proactive planning to mitigate risks and strengthen our collective defenses against natural disasters and unforeseen calamities,” he said.
OCD-6 Director Fernandez highlighted the summit’s role in building a resilient future, emphasizing that “by coming together to showcase our assets, share our knowledge, and strengthen our community networks, we are building a strong foundation for a more resilient future.”
The event also included a caravan and the unveiling of IEC materials.
