MANILA – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) are intensifying efforts to bolster disaster preparedness in Mindanao through the establishment of the Mindanao Disaster Resiliency and Resource Center (MDRRC).
The initiative aims to enhance disaster response strategies by adopting best practices from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Operations Center, which will serve as a model for the MDRRC. MinDA Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso Magno led a key meeting with top OCD officials, including Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, Assistant Secretary Atty. Jekereen Joy Casipit, and Director Cesar Idio, to discuss plans for the facility.
“With support from our partners at the OCD and NDRRMC, I am confident that we can replicate this state-of-the-art operations center in Mindanao,” Magno said, emphasizing that the center will complement existing NDRRM regional hubs and provide critical disaster response support.
Over the past year, MinDA has actively engaged with national agencies and key stakeholders to advance the project. Several local government units (LGUs) have already pledged land donations for the center, demonstrating strong grassroots support for the initiative.
The proposed MDRRC is designed to be a central command hub for disaster preparedness, mitigation, early response, recovery, and management. Modeled after Japan’s advanced disaster prevention systems, it will include a modern warehouse to store relief goods and emergency resources, ensuring rapid and efficient response operations.
“This project is a game-changer for disaster resilience in Mindanao,” Magno added, highlighting its alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for a safer and disaster-resilient Philippines.
The MinDA-OCD partnership also aims to enhance regional coordination and provide reliable resources to local disaster response teams. Supporting Magno in the meeting were MinDA Executive Director Janet Lopoz, Director Joan Barrera, and Planning and Research Chief Argie Leparto, reaffirming MinDA’s commitment to the project’s success.
With sustained support from national agencies and local stakeholders, the Mindanao Disaster Resiliency and Resource Center is poised to become a key component of disaster management in the region, safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and communities across Mindanao.