BACOLOD City – To further enhance disaster resilience efforts in Negros Occidental, the province’s Association of Chief Executives (ACE) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, OCD administrator; Victorias City’s Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, ACE president; OCD Disaster Preparedness Service director Caesar Agnir Jr.; OCD Assistant Secretary Carlos Bathan; OCD Negros Island Region director Donato Sermeno III; and University of the Philippines (UP) Resilience Institute Chief Science Research Specialist Jose Abraham Ongkiko signed the agreement in Talisay City on April 11.
According to the OCD, the MOA reinforces a province-wide initiative to elevate Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) standards across all local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental.
“The agreement focuses on promoting collaboration, information sharing, and capacity building among local leaders, with the OCD providing technical and operational support to strengthen their disaster preparedness and resilience programs,” the OCD added.
On the same day, the OCD and the City of Victorias represented by Benitez also signed a separate MOA that aims to strengthen local DRRM efforts.
The partnership represents a crucial step toward creating a more disaster-resilient Victorias by enhancing local capacities in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and technical assistance.
Nepomuceno, who is also the executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), described the agreements as another milestone in the OCD’s partnership with the different sectors of society, especially the local government units (LGUs).
He emphasized the importance of collective action among the LGUs, private sector, and civil society, given the country’s high vulnerability to disasters.
“We have around 300 volcanoes in the country; we have 24 active – one of which is Kanlaon. As you can also see, we are trying to catch up on preparations for earthquakes,” Nepomuceno said.
He further highlighted the necessity for LGUs to be well-equipped as frontliners: “We have to make sure that you have the capabilities in terms of funds, equipment, and personnel. The OCD can offer technical, managerial, operational knowledge and scientific data that we get from all other agencies worldwide,” he said.
Nepomuceno expressed hope that the signed agreements would pave the way for future collaborations.
“On behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense secretary and NDRRMC chair Gilberto Teodoro Jr., we want to assure you that we are ready to assist in all other possible calamities, not just with Kanlaon,” he said. “This is not just our job. This is not just our duty. It is our responsibility as Filipino citizens who care for your city.”/PN
