Once again, the city government of San Pedro, Laguna has proved that it is "Una sa Kaligtasan" in the province of Laguna.
The city's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and other attached groups were feted by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) CALABARZON during its Thanksgiving and Recognition Ceremony held last January 27 in Calamba City, Laguna.
Aside from receiving a plaque of recognition from the RDRRMC, the San Pedro CDRRMO also received recognition from the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) for its active participation in the agency's environmental programs to protect Laguna de Bay.
The city's DRRM council was also recognized for spearheading community disaster preparedness, while the San Pedro Aktibo Rescue Center – City Fire Auxiliary Unit (SPARC-CFAU) was feted as a model Government Emergency Management and Response Team.
San Pedro City Mayor Art Mercado also received a plaque of appreciation from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for the LGU’s active support of the programs and activities of the Coast Guard District NCR-Central Luzon.
Above and beyond
This is the latest in a string of awards and recognition the San Pedro CDRRMO has received from national government agencies in recognition for its efforts in ensuring the safety of San Pedrenses during calamities, according to CDRRMO head Ver Nico Pavino.
To recall, the city government last year also bagged the 2024 Gawad Kalasag Award from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), recognizing the LGU’s “unwavering commitment to disaster risk reduction, resilience, and preparedness.”
“In fact, lagi po tayong ‘Beyond Compliant’ sa checklist na ginagamit ng mga national government agencies,” Pavino shared in an interview with OpinYon Laguna.
“Ibig sabihin po nito, nasu-surpass pa po natin ang minimum o yung required ng batas na kailangan po nating tuparin sa mandato natin.”
Advanced operations
Part of this “above and beyond” stratagem of the CDRRMO is the much-vaunted Command Center in Barangay Poblacion that was inaugurated in 2024.
“In fact, kaya ko na pong sabihin na ‘smart command center’ ang ating kasalukuyang Operations Center. Medyo advanced na po ang technology na ginagamit natin dito, which meant na mas napapabilis po yung services natin, especially in terms of emergency response,” Pavino explained.
SPARC response
The “state-of-the-art” center, complemented by the Mobile Command Center that was launched in November 2025, meant that the city’s rescue response teams (including the SPARC) can now respond to accidents or emergencies even before residents call for help.
“Sa katunayan po, ang SPARC po ang tanging emergency response team sa buong rehiyon na kinilala ng RDRRMC,” he added.
Aside from its capabilities to quickly detect and respond to emergencies, Pavino also credited the SPARC’s win to the advanced equipment and specialized training provided by the CDRRMO.
Not only are members of the SPARC continually undergo enhanced and refresher training courses to ensure that they are always on top of procedures, the CDRRMO also implements strict inspection and maintenance of their rescue equipment.
“Hindi lang po sunod sa international standards ang mga equipment at kasuotan na ginagamit ng ating mga response team. Sinisigurado rin po natin na maayos na name-maintain ang ating mga kagamitan, lalo na po’t ang first objective rin po natin ay ang kaligtasan ng ating mga responders.”
And when it comes to celebrating National Disaster Resilience Month every July, Pavino is proud to say that the city government of San Pedro is one of the most active participants in the region.
“Ang dami po natin activities during that period, among them po yung ‘Barangay Rescue Challenge’ kung saan po tinitingnan natin ang response capabilities ng bawat barangay and provide the winners with incentives para mas mapaghusay pa ang kanilang pagresponde sa sakuna,” he said.
Oil spill recovery
The two remaining recognitions received by the city government, Pavino explained, directly relate to the city government’s response during the massive oil spill that resulted from a fire inside a warehouse in Barangay San Antonio on January 2025.
To recall, the city’s immediate and proactive measures to the oil spill that affected San Isidro River ensured that it never reached Laguna de Bay.
“Sobrang thankful po ng ating mga national government agencies, particularly ang LLDA, na hindi na po umabot sa lawa ang oil spill,” Pavino recounted.
The PCG, the CDRRMO head added, were also appreciative of the city government’s response and assistance it gave to those who responded to the oil spill.
“Nakita po ng PCG kung gaano po ka-supportive sa mga hakbang na ginawa para hindi na po umabot yung spill sa Laguna de Bay at hindi na makaperwisyo pa sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
(Photo courtesy of the San Pedro City Public Affairs and Information Office)
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