In compliance with the directives and national standards on disaster preparedness, Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito has filed a proposed ordinance seeking to elevate the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) into a full-fledged department.

The ordinance aims to expand the organizational structure and staffing of CDRRMO, enhancing its operational capacity and aligning it with national standards.

This is also a proactive move to strengthen the city government’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities.

“With Bacolod’s growing population and vulnerability to natural disasters, it’s crucial that we institutionalize a stronger, better-equipped and fully staffed DRRM department that can respond swiftly and efficiently to emergencies,” Distrito said.

The measure establishes the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department, and outlines clearly the three divisions, which are administration and training, research and planning, and operations and warning.

It also creates new plantilla positions — including a city government department head — to ensure professionalized and permanent leadership in disaster management.

“This is a forward-looking investment in the safety and resilience of our people. A dedicated DRRM department will improve response times, coordination and planning,” Councilor Celia Flor, the ordinance co-author, said.

Councilor Em Ang also highlighted the need for a stronger structure in anticipation of more frequent climate-related hazards.

“We must act now to build a system that is both responsive and anticipatory. This ordinance brings us closer to that goal,” Ang said.

The proposed ordinance also aligns with Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, supporting Bacolod’s vision of becoming a disaster-resilient city.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod is expected to deliberate on the measure in its upcoming sessions./WDJ