Provincial gov’t releases over P20M for Operations Hubs construction

By John Noel E. Herrera

The Iloilo Provincial Government on March 27, 2023 turned over P28 million for the construction of operations hubs in some municipalities that will serve as the headquarters for authorities monitoring calamity and emergency situations.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Dr. Jerry Bionat said that the local government units (LGUs) of Estancia, Carles, Banate, and Miag-ao received P5 million each, as the first beneficiaries of the project.

“Ina siya (operations hubs) mangin joint building sang MDRRMO (Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office), may personnel man halin sa PDRRMO, it means, didto ya, may maduty gid nga personal, composite with Coast Guard, and PNP (Philippine National Police), especially sa coastal communities,” Bionat said in an interview.

The hubs will also act as nerve centers for timely situation reports and early warning dissemination to lessen hazards’ vulnerabilities and risks, and facilitate resource mobilization during emergency situations.

Bionat said they have already finished the design of the hub and the LGUs will take care of the procurement and implementation process.

He explained that the provincial government plans to expand the project and they only initially chose the said towns based on the availability of the land, the current capacity of the LGUs, and their readiness to manage the hub.

“Aside from layo sila, damo ila normal operations, especially during bagyo. Sino may available nga lot, capacity and ready to manage,” he said.

Meanwhile, the towns of Estancia, Pavia, Tigbuan, and Leganes also received P2 million each from the provincial government for the procurement of rescue boats, according to Bionat.

“Ang rescue boats, ini para sa mga baha, hindi ni siya ya nga panghakot nga bilog, kundi parehas ini bala nga may naaksidente, may nagabusong or may bata nga siling ta kinahanglan i-retrieve didto kay dalom ang tubi, amu na ang purpose ya,” he explained.

Earlier, the provincial government distributed rescue boats to the towns of Sara, Dingle, Guimbal, Batad, Miag-ao, San Dionisio, Ajuy, Banate, Lambunao, Balasan, Zarraga, Mina, Lemery, Maasin, Calinog, and Duenas.

The projects are not only intended for calamity situations, such as typhoons and storm surges, as they are also part of the provincial government’s campaign to stop illegal fishing in the province and for the proper management of the portion of the Visayan Sea.