Northern Negros Occidental – Disaster response officers and local leaders are joining forces to enhance disaster resilience across the Negros Island Region, which includes Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. This collaboration was solidified during the inaugural Negros and Siquijor Island Region Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Summit, held in this city on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE), the summit marked a pivotal step towards uniting the Negros and Siquijor Island Region in their efforts to construct more robust communities capable of withstanding and recovering from disasters. Benitez emphasized the region's commitment to transforming vulnerabilities into strengths and building a resilient community prepared for any calamity.
The summit coincided with recent legislative developments, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12000 in June, officially establishing the Negros Island Region. The act facilitates enhanced regional collaboration in disaster preparedness and response. Highlighting local initiatives, Benitez noted that Victorias City, where the summit was hosted, is home to one of the nearly 100 evacuation centers mentioned by the President in his third State of the Nation Address on July 22.
The Victorias City Command and Evacuation Center (VCCEC), established in March with a budget of PHP55 million, features advanced facilities for efficient monitoring and swift emergency response. This center played a pivotal role in the summit's proceedings, which included presentations on DRRM responses, technologies, and the unveiling of state-of-the-art disaster response equipment.
The summit, organized by the Alliance of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers of Negros Island (ADRRMONI) and led by Jose Yusay III, municipal DRRM officer of Hinoba-an, drew at least 126 participants. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure the safety and resilience of the region, especially following the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on June 3, which impacted both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.