ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. emphasized the importance of collaboration and vigilance among the 43 local government units (LGUs) in this province during the first Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Summit held in Pototan on Wednesday, July 31.
The primary goal is to minimize casualties and significant damage during disasters or emergencies in the province, he stressed.
“Disaster response is akin to a ball game, like basketball or tennis; you never take your eyes off the ball. Constant vigilance is the number one rule in DRRM,” Defensor said during his address at the summit.
The event, organized by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) led by Cornelio Salinas, saw participation from hundreds of responders and rescuers, local chief executives, and notable figures such as Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) undersecretary for Public Safety Serafin Barretto, Jr., and DILG-6 director Juan Jovian Ingeniero.
Defensor highlighted ongoing provincial government initiatives aligned with disaster response, supporting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-nation approach to progress and development.
He recalled initiatives from his administration, like the creation of the Provincial Civil Defense Cluster, which provides coordinated and comprehensive services to DRRM, public safety, and other emergency situations.
“We are in a hurry for urgent development because if we don’t act quickly, we will be left behind,” Defensor added, stressing the importance of addressing fundamental issues in disaster response, such as enhancing human resources and improving asset capabilities.
For his part, Salinas expressed satisfaction with the summit’s outcomes, indicating strong collaboration among all participants to effectively manage and face upcoming disasters or calamities.
The summit also aimed to raise public awareness and preparedness, showcasing the latest assets and resources used by various LGUs, like the town of Pavia, which presented its search and rescue equipment.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) demonstrated an emergency communications mobile system capable of sending messages even in areas without signal coverage.
“Seeing the variation of resources and assets among the towns helps us identify areas needing support, which can be provided by the Iloilo provincial government or national agencies,” Salinas said.
The summit also addressed the needs of smaller, fifth to sixth class municipalities, with the PDRRMO distributing handheld radios and solar power generator sets.
Additionally, the PDRRMO released P1 million to each of the 43 LGUs for cash-for-work assistance to residents affected by the El Niño phenomenon./PN
