The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) are stepping up efforts to intensify Mindanao’s disaster preparedness through the establishment of the Mindanao Disaster Resiliency and Resource Center (MDRRC).
The MDRRC will serve as a central command for disaster preparedness, mitigation, early response, recovery, and management.
The preparation was strengthened with a benchmarking meeting held on February 11, 2025, which marked an important step toward realizing this goal.
The facility will also include a modern warehouse for relief goods and emergency resources, ensuring rapid and well-coordinated disaster response operations.
MinDA Chair Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, who led the meeting with top OCD officials, said the discussion was centered on adopting advanced disaster response strategies and studying the operations of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Operations Center, which will serve as a model for the MDRRC.
“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.
Magno highlighted that the proposed center will enhance the current NDRRM regional operations hubs and offer essential assistance for disaster response throughout the region.
The proposed MDRRC is envisioned as a disaster response hub, modeled after Japan’s highly advanced disaster prevention systems.
The MinDA-OCD collaboration also aims to foster stronger regional coordination, providing a reliable resource hub to support and enhance the capabilities of local disaster response teams.
Magno said with continued support from national agencies and local stakeholders, the Mindanao Disaster Resiliency and Resource Center promises to be a cornerstone of disaster management in the region, helping protect lives, livelihoods, and communities across Mindanao.
