Disaster preparedness is again in the minds of many people after the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island. This time, the thoughts are on how prepared are government agencies to respond to disasters especially those in isolated areas?

News reports on the steps government agencies have taken to strengthen disaster preparedness hardly make it to “trending” category in social media. So not many know that there are new systems and technologies that have been added to effect faster response and delivery of basic services to communities in geographically isolated areas (GIDs) during times of natural disaster.

Two of these are the Mobile Command Centers (MCCs) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which were deployed to regional field offices early this week, and the Emergency 911 (E-911) Command Center of Morong, Rizal which was inaugurated on May 6.

DSWD’s mobile command centers are specially-equipped vehicles with Wi-Fi, phone charging facility, and power generators – as well as a system to monitor the food and non-food items in warehouses and storage facilities, including family food packs in production hubs, as well as track logistics.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the 14 new MCCs will complement the agency’s Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC) that was inaugurated by President Marcos early this year. The MCCs now complete the DSWD’s disaster response system allowing the transmission of data from the disaster areas to the Regional Operations Center (ROC), Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC), or the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC).

The specially-equipped vehicles carry very efficient information and communication technology. Irene Dumlao, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) explained: “Our MCCs offer system redundancy because of their capacity to provide internet connection through satellite internet, and power supply from generator sets/uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This means that it can help affected residents to connect with their loved ones when the power supply in their area is down.”

UHF digital handheld radios which are part of the MCC equipment will enable disaster response teams to monitor and respond immediately to emergency calls within the coverage area. There is also Wireless Access Points, which can provide coverage in disaster-stricken areas or challenging terrain where wired connectivity is impractical or restricted.

The 14 MCCs have been deployed to DSWD’s regional field offices with two more to be delivered soon so that all of the DSWD field offices will have one on standby for any disaster or calamity.

Meanwhile, in Morong, Rizal last month, a state-of-the-art Emergency 911 Command Center was launched, equipped with an enhanced emergency response and public safety system. It is the country’s first facility with the next generation 911 response system and after a month of efficient operation, the government is looking at expanding its use to other local government units (LGUs).

Morong Mayor Sidney Soriano said the new system upgrade’s the town’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRM) with the technology featuring “enhanced emergency response, improved location accuracy, integration of surveillance systems, and access to real-time reports.” One of its significant features is that the command center can pinpoint the location of the caller and the nearest first responder, an important information for responding to crisis situations.

The operation of the two new systems that boost response and delivery of government services to the people in far-flung areas especially during times of disaster – and the thought that these systems are there – will make people feel safer that government is working even before a disaster strikes.