Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the blessing and inauguration of the upgraded Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) facilities and equipment at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City on Thursday, March 5.
The P20.4 million investment in facilities and equipment represents the province’s continuous commitment to rapid response and the safety of all Negrenses, the governor said.
Inaugurated were a newly constructed PDRRMO vehicle hub worth P8.9 million and the rehabilitated PDRRMO Training Center at a cost of P8.3 million.
An emergency transport service vehicle worth P1.5 million and a logistics hub racking system with specialized flooring valued at P1.7 million were also turned over during the event.
Lacson said that the upgraded PDRRMO facility will serve as a command center for coordination, strategy, and decisive action during emergencies, while the new vehicles will enable responders to reach communities faster, especially those in remote and vulnerable areas.
The updated equipment will further enhance capabilities in search, rescue, relief, and recovery operations, he added.
The governor said disaster preparedness is not a one-time effort but requires continuous planning, training, and improvement.
The PDRRMO, which was recently approved as an official Capitol Department, now features a state-of-the-art command center, logistics hub, and training facility, at the Panaad.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the upgraded training center will serve as the primary hub for developing and updating the skills, knowledge, orientation, and values of DRRMO personnel and Emergency Medical Teams.
The center is designed to accommodate not only provincial staff and PDRRMO personnel but also participants from various Local Government Units across Negros Occidental and other regions seeking professional training, he added.*
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