Iloilo City puts up disaster preparedness hub

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The Iloilo City government with the help of two top universities will establish a disaster preparedness hub touted to be the first of its kind in the country.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog signed a Memorandum of Understanding with John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ronald Raymond Sebastian and West Visayas State University - College of Communications (WVSU-COC) Dean Professor Carmencita Robles on Thursday, coinciding with the observance of the International Day for Risk Reduction.

“We are very happy that our partners from the academe are helping us. We thank the top universities for these projects for the public to be able to learn how to be prepared for disasters. We are looking forward to the strong partnerships,” stressed Mabilog.

“We also call on other schools to support the initiative. Disaster preparedness is not only the City Government’s responsibility but also of the private sector and media. Being supportive and aware is the best thing that we can do to save lives and properties in times of calamities,” he added.

JBLFMU will be the first institution to house the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Information and Exhibit Center which will exclusively focus on DRR and shall be an avenue for citizens to learn about disaster preparedness. Its Media Center is also covering city’s DRR activities documentation.

WVSU-COC is assisting the city in the production of Information-Education-Communication (IEC) materials which will be utilized in the campaign for inclusive disaster resiliency. Flyers, audio, and video materials will be created which will help enlighten and educate about the disaster risks faced by the city with a particular lens on sensitivity towards assisting the vulnerable groups.

Acknowledging the academic sector as a resource, this component created opportunities for collaboration and active participation in the implementation of various DRR activities and efforts geared towards the building of a resilient Iloilo City.

The endeavor is supported by CITYNET Yokohama Project Office, Yokohama City, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the Community Based Adaptation and Resiliency against Disasters (CBARAD) II Project. [via PNA]

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