OCD and Angkas Form Partnership for Enhanced Disaster Response in the Philippines

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Angkas, a popular motorcycle ride-hailing app, have entered into a significant partnership to bolster disaster response efforts in the Philippines. The memorandum of agreement (MOA), signed by OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno and Angkas CEO George Royeca at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, outlines a collaborative strategy to improve the delivery of essential goods and expedite emergency responses during calamities in Metro Manila and Cebu.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement will involve the recruitment of an initial cadre of 100 Angkas riders trained as first responders to assist in OCD’s rescue operations. Additionally, Angkas has committed to donating urban search and rescue equipment to the OCD’s tactical unit. Nepomuceno praised the partnership as a vital step towards effective management of disasters with minimal casualties or damage, emphasizing the importance of government and private sector collaboration in emergency preparedness and response.

Royeca, reflecting on the partnership, underscored the significance of Angkas’s involvement in disaster response initiatives and the mutual benefits of collaboration with the government. The training provided by the OCD is expected to enhance the emergency response capabilities of Angkas bikers, preparing them to play a critical role during emergencies. The collaboration is a testament to the growing recognition of the need for public-private partnerships in addressing national emergencies and disasters.