Abandoned compound now houses PDRRMO

CEBU, Philippines — After years of sitting idle and being flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA), a former quarantine and evacuation facility in Sitio Grotto, Barangay Apas, Cebu City has been transformed into the permanent headquarters of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

According to PDRRMO head Ret. Col. Dennis Pastor, the compound, which was constructed in 2017 and barely utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, underwent rehabilitation costing ?9 million to make it fully operational.

Cebu provincial officials formally inaugurated the facility on Friday, January 9.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony. She was joined by Provincial Administrator Ace Durano, Public Health consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan of PRO-7, and Cebu Police Provincial Office director PCol. Abubakar Mangelen Jr., among other officials.

The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Fr. John Mission, national director of Stella Maris–Philippines, and was attended by Capitol department heads and invited guests.

Baricuatro said the facility fills a long-standing gap in the province’s disaster management system, emphasizing the importance of having a dedicated, province-owned command center.

“It would be a very vital place para sa PDRRMO diri sa probinsiya sa Sugbo. We are so proud kay we have a disaster place nga matawag nga atoa nga sa probinsiya jud.,” the governor said.

She recalled that when she first visited the site, it was heavily overgrown and in a state of disrepair, resembling an abandoned compound rather than a government asset.

“Grabe ka hugaw ug gubot diri sauna,” Baricuatro said.

Pastor explained that the facility remained unused for several years after its construction, except for a brief period during the height of the pandemic when it served as an isolation area for less than a month.

He said quarantine operations were eventually transferred to hotels, leaving the buildings idle—one of the reasons the site was flagged by COA.

From a dormant structure, the compound has now evolved into a modern disaster response center equipped for real-time monitoring, coordination, and rapid deployment.

The facility includes a monitoring and command center featuring a large smart LED wall, radio communications systems, and multiple internet connections from Globe, Smart, and Starlink to ensure uninterrupted operations during emergencies.

It is also equipped with life detectors, flood boats, and state-of-the-art drones, including a ?3.5-million unit with night vision capabilities intended for search, rescue, and damage assessment operations.

Pastor said that while the drone technology is advanced, the office currently has only one trained pilot, with plans to train two to three more personnel in the coming months.

The compound also houses a training center, employee dormitories, and office spaces, including a designated office for the governor to conduct meetings during disaster situations.

The new PDRRMO headquarters spans nearly 10 hectares and is composed of five main buildings.

Since the PDRRMO was reconstituted as a separate department in September 2025, the office has expanded its workforce from 10 personnel to 50 employees, 21 of whom are trained responders.

With the increased manpower, Pastor said the office is now capable of managing disaster situations, provided there are no multiple large-scale hazards occurring simultaneously.

One of the most significant improvements, he added, is the ability to directly communicate with municipal and city DRRM offices from northern to southern Cebu through radio systems, even if cellular networks fail.

Danao City MDRRMO head Roland P. Reyes welcomed the development, saying local government units have long awaited a provincial command center they can rely on during major emergencies.

“We've been longing this for a very long time. All LGUs are mandated to have it's own command center. So mura mig natawhan og inahan nga naa nami kadangoan in case if dili makaya sa LGU,” said Reyes.

He also credited Baricuatro’s leadership for fast-tracking the project, citing her “sincerity and aggressiveness” in establishing a functional command center within a short period.

Pastor said that while the improvements are substantial, further enhancements are still needed, including water treatment machines, improved communication equipment for island municipalities, and slope protection projects.

Meanwhile, IngcoPh Traders Incorporated, represented by Karen Kate Dionio Alao, donated 40 units of 62cc gasoline chainsaws to further strengthen the PDRRMO’s disaster response capabilities.