*By HANNAH NICOL

* Malabon City Mayor Jennie Sandoval spearheaded the blessing and inauguration of the city's taxpayers' lounge and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) command and communication center at the Malabon City Hall on Friday, June 30. Malabon City local government officials joined Mayor Sandoval in the event. The blessing of Malabon City taxpayers' lounge was held on the third floor of City Treasury, Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO). Meanwhile, the inauguration of Malabon City Command, Communication Center was held on the tenth floor of the Municipal Disaster Risk and Management Office (MDRRMO).
(Photo from Malabon City Government/ MANILA BULLETIN) According to the mayor, the command and control center will serve as the center of the emergency response operations of Malabon City. She also said that the MDRRMO is using quality technologies to monitor and coordinate emergency situations effectively. “This will serve as a bridge in gathering real-time information, analyzing data, and effective decision making,” she said. The administration of Mayor Jeannie is ensuring that Malabon is keeping pace with the innovations that will benefit of both residents and businesses. One of her projects is the renovation of its Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) designed to prevent the unnecessary delays when transacting and securing permits and licenses. "The technology we are putting in place is critical to improve efficiencies that will benefit the entire city," She said. Sandoval also raised the bar in Malabon's capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies with its newly inaugurated 24/7 Command and Communication Center. The Malabon City Command Center is provided with pant, tilt, zoom (PTZ) cameras, bullet, traffic, dome, and speaker tracking cameras, and as well as high level radios and monitoring systems. Sandoval expressed her gratitude to the dedicated members of the Malabon City MDRRMO who worked tirelessly to establish the command center. “To the residents of Malabon, I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the command and control center and its functions. Let's be shoulder to shoulder in preparing for calamities by following the guidance of our DRRMO,” she said. She also promised that the city government will continue to promote the safety and security of the Malabon citizens. “Together we will work together with the Disaster Risk and Management Office and other agencies to ensure that we are ready and adequately prepared for any emergency that may arise, she said.