ILOILO City –The city government is institutionalizing resiliency and preparedness through Iloilo City Action and Response Centers (ICARE) across the metropolis.
ICARE is the brainchild of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas crafted under his road map for good governance called “W.H.E.E.L.S. (Welfare, Health, Education, Environment, Livelihood, Sustainability) for Inclusive Development”.
According to Donna Magno, chief of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), four ICARE centers are now operational following the inauguration Friday last week of the newest one in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district named as the Esther Jamora ICARE Center.
Through a usufruct agreement, the Jamora family lent to the city government their 855-square meter property for an ICARE center.
Magno said ICARE facilities are being built in strategic areas to ensure that their assistance could be readily deployed when needed.
Also operational are the state-of-the-art ICARE Command Center at the Gaisano Time Square along the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue in Mandurriao district and ICARE satellites in barangays Calumpang, Molo district and Barangay Balantang, Jaro.
The city is establishing five more facilities – at the Iloilo Business Park (Megaworld) in Mandurriao; in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz district; in Barangay Tanza Esperanza, City Proper; in Barangay Sooc, Arevalo district; and in Barangay Balabago, Jaro.
Magno said through an ICARE centralized emergency operation center and its satellites, the city government aims to establish an integrated response network based in every district and bring safety services closer to the people.
“We are establishing these facilities to immediately respond to emergencies and urgent situations. Our goal is to create a more resilient metropolis for all,” said Mayor Treñas.
He thanked the city government’s private sector partners for allowing portions of their properties to host the centers like the Jamora family.
Meanwhile, with the CDRRMO as lead agency, Magno said, ICARE is composed of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), police and fire personnel.
ICARE centers receive calls for emergency assistance such as for trauma cases, vehicular accidents, and even for the transport of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, among other medical emergencies.
The satellite centers are connected to the command center for seamless coordination and response.
Magno said the facilities have emergency communications equipment, including security cameras that serve as the command center’s and it satellites’ “eyes on the ground.”
They make it easy to monitor the situation on the ground such as the flow of traffic, vehicular accidents, etc., she explained.
The PDRRMO chief added that they are also strengthening the competencies of ICARE personnel; improving the processes in the provision of technical inputs and implementation of DRR programs; strengthening DRR partnerships like with volunteer emergency/rescue groups; and putting in place protocols for Iloilo City Emergency Response (ICER) team.
She reiterated that the city mayor, who was cited as “Resilience Champion” by the National Resilience Council, envisions to make Iloilo City emergency operations center a leading one in the Visayas.
Just recently, Iloilo City was awarded “Beyond Compliant” in the 22nd Gawad KALASAG Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance for Local DRRM Councils and Offices given by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
A similar award was given to the city in the previous year for exceeding the standards for the establishment and functionality of Local DRRM Councils and Offices.
Gawad Kalasag aims to recognize various stakeholders that design and implement DRRM projects that protect and shield high-risk communities from hazards while also assisting them in addressing their vulnerabilities and disaster coping mechanisms.
The country’s recognition scheme honors various stakeholders that promote and implement disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance programs to protect at-risk communities and increase their adaptive capacities to ensure their safety and resilience.
Meantime, for the Regional Competitiveness Awards this year, the city was recognized as Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in Resiliency.
Treñas believes a resilient metropolis does not just secure the safety of its people but also provides assurance to investors to open business and employment opportunities for the people.
“Resilient cities promote sustainable development, well-being, and inclusive growth that help achieve my vision for a level-up metropolis. I have been closely coordinating with various agencies to ensure that we build a city that can thrive despite the adversities,” he stressed./PN
