ILOILO City – As the country braces for up to 19 tropical cyclones in the second half of 2025, newly elected local chief executives (LCEs) in Western Visayas will undergo a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) orientation this August to strengthen their capacity for disaster response.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 is set to train the region’s newly elected mayors and governors following their participation in the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) NEO PLUS (Newly Elected Officials Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service) Program this July.
OCD-6 regional director Raul Fernandez said the initiative is part of the observance of the 37th National Disaster Resilience Month, which carries the theme “Kumikilos para sa Kahandaan, Kaligtasan, at Katatagan!”
Fernandez stressed that the orientation is meant to equip incoming LCEs with essential knowledge and skills on disaster preparedness and response to help prevent loss of lives and protect livelihoods in times of calamities.
Ahead of the orientation, OCD-6 has already begun visiting local government units (LGUs) this month to conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) activities with local disaster offices, rescuers, responders, and other relevant agencies. The visits aim to reinforce readiness under newly enhanced procedures and guidelines.
“We’ve started conducting PDRA orientation and LGU visits to remind them of the importance of their preparation,” Fernandez added.
Western Visayas is no stranger to natural calamities such as typhoons, floods, and the southwest monsoon. Fernandez expressed confidence in the LGUs’ readiness, citing improved responses in recent years. “We are confident in the preparation of our LGUs based on what we have seen in previous years,” he said.
OCD-6 is also preparing logistical support for LGUs, including the prepositioning of Non-Food Items (NFIs) in strategic areas for faster deployment during emergencies. These include family kits, hygiene packs, shelter kits, and tents essential for evacuation operations.
Identified prepositioning sites include Banga in Aklan, Jamindan in Capiz, Camp Fullon in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, and Iloilo City. The 301st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Dingle, Iloilo, and other Philippine Army camps are also being considered.
“Some NFIs are already on the way, and we have identified possible sites for prepositioning,” Fernandez confirmed.
According to PAGASA-Iloilo, the country is expected to experience 11 to 19 tropical cyclones from June to November 2025. Specifically, one or two storms may occur in June; two to three each in July, August, and November; and two to four in September and October./PN
