P8M donated to enhance resilience measures

After Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas earlier vowed to create the “best command center in the Visayas,” the city government recently signed a usufruct agreement with the Gaisano Capital Group to establish the Iloilo City Action and Response (I CARE) Center. A usufruct agreement permits an outside party to use a piece of property for a period of time.
The structure will be situated on a 375-square meter lot in Iloilo City’s Mandurriao district.
“This is a very significant project as we should be prepared for disaster and immediate response to emergencies and urgent situations,” the mayor explained. “It will also include [an] intelligent transport system to address traffic congestion in the metropolis.”
Once completed, the facility will house the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, police stations, and fire stations.
The agreement was signed earlier this week between Treñas and Gaisano Western Visayas Vice President Carlos P. Legara with Vice Mayor Jeffrey P. Ganzon and City Councilor Alan A. Zaldivar serving as witnesses.
The mayor previously said he hopes to erect similar facilities in the city’s other districts.
Meanwhile, the city also received an P8 million donation from the Alliance Global Group intended for the enhancement of resilience measures.
Through the donation, the city intends to strengthen leadership and government capacities, utilize disaster risk reduction matters as investment opportunities, facilitate active and strategic engagement by the private sector, advance international commitments and agreements pertaining to disaster risk reduction, and introduce programs in line with the National Resilience Council platform.
Treñas extended his appreciation to Alliance Global chairman, Dr. Andrew L. Tan.
“We would like to thank Dr. Tan for helping us in making the city resilient amid fast-rising development,” he said. “This is a big help for us to put in place efforts towards future-proofing and sustainability.”/WDJ