THE NEED for effective disaster management has never been more urgent as climate change intensifies and natural disasters become more frequent. The recent meeting between Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla and key regional officials in Iloilo City emphasized an important aspect of disaster preparedness: strengthening the emergency response capabilities of local government units (LGUs) across Western Visayas.
In a region where typhoons, floods, and earthquakes pose constant threats, the role of LGUs in emergency management is indispensable. Local leaders are the first responders when disaster strikes, and their ability to act swiftly and effectively can mean the difference between life and death. For this reason, the DILG’s focus on equipping LGUs with fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles is a step in the right direction.
Western Visayas has experienced its fair share of natural calamities. The devastation caused by many typhoons in the recent past left many communities in the region grappling with severe flooding and infrastructure damage; and while the government can deploy national resources, it is the local officials and first responders who are on the front lines, coordinating evacuations, providing relief, and ensuring public safety.
Currently, many LGUs in Western Visayas are ill-equipped to handle large-scale emergencies. A shortage of emergency vehicles, outdated equipment, and insufficient training are recurring issues. In many areas, fire trucks and ambulances are either too few or too old to be effective in a crisis. The DILG’s initiative to deliver modern fire trucks and ambulances to every LGU before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term is a much-needed intervention that could make a significant difference in the region’s ability to respond to disasters.
But enhancing LGU emergency response capabilities goes beyond just equipping them with vehicles. Local personnel must be properly trained in disaster response and local communities must be actively engaged in preparedness programs. Effective emergency management requires not only the right tools but also the right knowledge and coordination.
As the DILG works to roll out these emergency vehicles across Western Visayas, LGUs must decide to prioritize disaster response planning and invest in community-based initiatives that empower citizens to act during emergencies. Local communities are the first to witness the onset of a disaster, and their involvement in early warning systems, evacuation drills, and first-aid training can greatly enhance the region’s resilience.
The bottom line: We must build a culture of preparedness and resilience that will better equip Western Visayas to face future challenges. In a time of increasing natural calamities, the focus must be on creating empowered, well-equipped, and responsive local governments that can protect their communities when disaster strikes.
