In an effort to establish and sustain more resilient systems throughout Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas; National Resilience Council President Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga; and University of the Philippines Visayas vice chancellor, Dr. Gay De Fiesta, recently signed a memorandum of understanding.
“We thank the private and academe partners for helping transform the city into a livable, sustainable resilient community in preparation for calamities,” the mayor said.
Through the memorandum, the parties will work together to set up systems that assure the continuity of services, reduced death and damage, and continuous development during times of disaster.
It was previously reported, the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) recently began installing quake rapid damage assessment devices and rain gauges across the city. According to CDRRMO head Donna P. Magno, the initiative aims to build a smart sensor network, set up a cloud-based decision-supporting system, and deliver capacity-building program for information intelligence.
Earlier this month, the Iloilo City government announced they had allotted a 5,000-square meter property in the Jaro district’s Barangay Tacas for the Office of the Civil Defense to construct a P36.5 million regional evacuation center and warehouse.
“This will make the city and the region resilient for disasters,” Treñas noted.
Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Jose Roberto R. Nuñez said, once completed, the facility will be able to accommodate around 530 families while the warehouse will store non-food items and can be used by the Department of Social Welfare and Development during relief operations./WDJ