CEBU is putting a larger share of its proposed 2027 disaster spending into preparedness, with P168 million set aside for equipment and measures that can be deployed before emergencies strike.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) approved the proposed 2027 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) during its third quarter meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, Sept. 17.
The proposed disaster allocation totals P400 million, consisting of a P280-million AIP and a separate P120-million Quick Response Fund (QRF).
Of the P280-million AIP, P168 million, or 60 percent, will fund disaster preparedness.
The amount will cover equipment and other requirements for the PDRRMO, its Emergency Operations Center and warehouses.
Retired Col. Dennis Pastor, PDRRMO chief, said the proposed spending gives priority to preparedness because the office needs to acquire costly equipment even when there may be no immediate emergency requiring its use.
“Ang programming man gud is more on preparedness. We buy things that are very expensive, hoping that we will not be able to use it,” Pastor said.
The remaining P112 million of the AIP will be distributed among prevention and mitigation, response and early recovery, and recovery and rehabilitation.
The proposal allocates P28 million for disaster prevention and mitigation, P56 million for disaster response and early recovery, and another P28 million for recovery and rehabilitation.
The separate P120-million QRF will be used for emergency and disaster response, relief operations, and rehabilitation and recovery in areas affected by disasters.
The proposed funding also includes the PDRRMO’s personnel and operational requirements.
Pastor said the office now has 85 personnel, a significant increase from the 10 personnel it had when Gov. Pamela Baricuatro assumed office.
The PDRRMO is also operating at least seven mobile kitchens and acquiring additional vehicles for its operations.
The proposed 2027 allocation follows the provincial government’s continuing expansion of its disaster-response infrastructure.
In May, the Capitol reported that the PDRRMO command center in Barangay Apas, Cebu City, had been equipped with a solar-powered energy system and a digital Emergency Operations Center platform.
The province has also announced plans to establish warehouses in Danao City and Sibonga to support relief operations and emergency personnel in northern and southern Cebu.
The PDRRMO has also procured rescue tools, personal protective equipment, emergency patient transport vehicles, heavy equipment and computers, according to the provincial government.
The P400-million proposal remains subject to the province’s budget process.
The PDRRMC-approved AIP will undergo the budget process for fiscal year 2027 before the proposed allocations can be appropriated.
Photo by Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
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