Capitol forms body to expedite disaster response

CEBU, Philippines — To further strengthen disaster response in Cebu Province, the Cebu provincial government established the Executive Committee (ExeCom) of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) through Executive Order No. 30, Series of 2026.

Signed by Governor Pamela Baricuatro on May 19, 2026, the EO mandates the committee to function as the decision-making body of the larger council to ensure efficient coordination, policy direction, and steady oversight of disaster risk reduction and management projects across the province.

“The directive aims to eliminate bureaucratic delays and streamline the province’s emergency response mechanisms ahead of future disaster situations,” a portion of the post from Cebu Province's page reads.

The EO is anchored on the Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which institutionalizes policies and programs under the DRRM at the national and local levels.

It also aligns with previous provincial executive orders including EO No. 23 and EO No. 23-A, Series of 2025, which reconstituted the PDRRMC to speed up disaster readiness plans, alongside Republic Act no. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which vests power to local government units to ascertain the welfare and development of its constituents.

The directive underscores that the ExeCom will “act on behalf of the Council in facilitating, expediting, and recommending approval plans, programs, activities, and resource requirements.”

Furthermore, the establishment of the ExeCom aims to strengthen coordination with other concerned offices to ensure responsive, efficient, and unified implementation of DRRM-related frameworks.

Committee members will include representatives from the PDRRM office, the Provincial Planning and Development Office, and the Provincial Budget Office. Several officials including the provincial treasurer and engineer, along with representatives from the offices of the social welfare and development, health, and agriculture, will also join the core team.

Also listed as committee members are the chairpersons of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Public Health and Social Welfare and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

As per Section 3 of the EO, the ExeCom will execute seven main functions such as providing strategic direction and policy guidelines in the implementation of DRRM programs, ensuring communication among all provincial components and stakeholders, expediting the evaluation and endorsement of DRRM-related plans, and facilitating timely decision-making in emergency situations.

Moreover, the body is also mandated to facilitate internal communication for the speedy delivery of resources, act on pressing matters, and perform other duties to ensure public safety and security in times of emergencies and disasters.