OCD signs MOAs with Victorias City, Negros ACE for disaster preparedness

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has signed two agreements with Victorias City and the Negros Association of Chief Executives (ACE) to enhance disaster preparedness in Negros Occidental, following the April 8 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon which displaced over 25,000 residents.

The first memorandum of agreement focuses on improving Victorias City's disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) capabilities by providing access to OCD resources, training programs, and scientific data.

The second MOA extends the initiative to all local government units in Negros Occidental through a partnership with Negros ACE, promoting inter-local government unit collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building.

OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of preparing for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes across the country, highlighting the need for unified disaster resilience efforts and equipping LGUs with necessary tools and knowledge to be effective first responders.

The agreements aim to facilitate a potential DRRM summit on Negros Island and establish a more cohesive framework for disaster management in the region.