The recent series of earthquakes in Visayas and Mindanao have once again prompted local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines to step up their measures to ensure the safety of their residents during times of calamities.
Recently, the city government of San Pedro, Laguna launched its newest equipment aimed at ensuring a coordinated response to disasters: the San Pedro Mobile Command Center.
According to Ver Nico Pavino, head of the San Pedro City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the new Mobile Command Center complements the high-tech facilities of its Command Center in Barangay Poblacion, specifically for use during calamities such as earthquakes.
Pavino said the new equipment will enable the CDRRMO to continue its duties of coordinating rescue and relief efforts in the event that they should evacuate from the main Command Center.
“For example po, kapag lumindol, ang protocol po is kailangang mag-evacuate, lumabas ng ating Command Center. So we procured this vehicle so that we can still operate kapag panahon ng sakuna,” he explained.
“The difference lang is nasa sasakyan siya, so it’s mobile. But all of the technology included in our main Command Center is here.”
The Mobile Command Center is also equipped with CCTV-monitoring equipment, as well as deployable cameras and Internet connection through Starlink. It has its own generator set, as well as provisions for connecting to the main power supply.
“The main function nito, if ever naka-deploy siya, or for instance, nagkaroon ng earthquake, this will be the central command. So, nandito yung mga decision makers, nandito yung major coordinations para ma-coordinate sa mga responders kung ano yung incident na na-report. Andito yung mga central reports. Dito manggagaling ang mga instructions,” Pavino said.
The CDRRMO head also reported that the Mobile Command Center will first be deployed during the commemoration of All Saints’ Day on November 1, when Filipinos are expected to visit cemeteries and pay respects to their departed relatives.
“Ngayong Undas po, balak nating ilagay ito doon sa kanto ng ating public cemetery. Kasi doon kami may power source, may light post, may CCTV kami. Doon na namin itatap para kita namin buong San Pedro pa din. Yung mga deployable cameras, ilalagay namin yan sa gitna ng sementeryo para kita namin ang nangyari sa loob. Kung saan kami walang camera, kita pa rin namin,” he added.
(Report by James Veloso and Catherine Go)
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