MANILA, Philippines — To expedite the release of aid to families displaced
by the heavy fighting by government forces and Maute Group terrorists in Marawi
City, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) together with various National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member agencies have established
an inter-agency regional command and coordination center in Iligan City.
The center will be managed by inter-agency focal persons from the
response clusters of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Region 10.
It's goal is to provide a centralized provision of assistance to
address the evolving crisis situation in Marawi City and other areas in
Mindanao.
In a meeting conducted Saturday, efforts on the provision of relief
including medical assistance and psychosocial support were discussed.
"Civil protection is paramount in situations like this. In every
hazard may it be natural or human-induced, we are committed to serving our
nation by protecting the communities," NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil
Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad said.
OCD is pushing for the Amendatory Bill on RA 10121 or the Philippine
DRRM Law elevating the Agency towards enhanced Civil Defense and DRRM
frameworks.
"As OCD has always advocated, Civil Defense and Civil Protection
are all encompassing and cover the entire spectrum of prevention/mitigation,
preparedess, response and recovery/rehabilitation," Civil Defense
Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James E.
Purisima said.
"Steadfast on our mandate, we will continue to improve our
frameworks, policies, and protocols to serve our nation better towards a more
resilient Philippines," he added. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)
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