CPDRRMO a department again

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CPDRRMO) has been reconstituted into a full-fledged department under the administration of Governor Pamela Baricuatro, following its approval on third and final reading by the 17th Provincial Board during its regular session yesterday, September 15, 2025.

The measure institutionalizes the CPDRRMO as a separate department tasked with strengthening the province’s disaster preparedness and response.

The ordinance, authored by Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, was patterned after a memorandum circular from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and adjusted to suit Cebu’s unique needs.

Martinez stressed that aside from response, the new department will boost its capacity in research and data gathering, essential to improving disaster risk reduction strategies.

“Being one of the big provinces outside Metro Manila, we should have more capabilities,” Martinez said.

He pointed out that Cebu has faced multiple disasters over the years --Typhoon Yolanda, Typhoon Odette, the Naga landslide, and the COVID-19 pandemic-- highlighting the need for a stronger, institutionalized disaster management body.

“Compared sa LGUs grabi na kaaayo ilang preparedness, response --ang ilang capabilities are far beyond what we have sa Kapitolyo,” he shared.

He hopes that by reconstituting the PDRRMO, Cebu can rebuild and expand its capacity.

“We can already rebuild what was taken away through a rationalizing ordinance. Maybe we can start from there, rebuild and make it a more comprehensive, more responsive department,” he added.

For PDRRMO head Dennis Pastor, the reconstitution is a welcome development.

“Making the office a department is good for our capability, good for our personnel fill-up, and good in terms of how we can perform our mandate,” he said.

In the past, the PDRRMO was recognized as a department during the administration of former governor Hilario Davide III. However, under former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, it was reverted to a division under the Office of the Governor.

The new ordinance, officially titled the “CPDRRMO Ordinance of 2025”, reestablishes the disaster body as a separate department, with clear structure, divisions, and functions.

Its four main divisions are: Disaster Preparedness Information and Training, Research Documentation Statistics and Planning, Operations Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, and Emergency Response, Search and Rescue.

A ?10-million initial funding has been allocated for the department, to be sourced from the provincial government’s general fund. Subsequent budgets will be included in the annual or supplemental appropriations.

The department is tasked in functions such as operating an all-hazard early warning system, consolidating risk assessments, coordinating with LGUs, and managing emergency response and recovery efforts.

The ordinance provides for a mandatory review every five years to ensure policies remain responsive to evolving risks and circumstances, making Cebu’s disaster resilience framework more sustainable in the years to come. — (FREEMAN)