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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DSWD seeks to build Mindanao disaster response hub

DSWD seeks to build Mindanao disaster response hub

Published Aug 20, 2025 10:18 am
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian accompanies Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and other officials during their visit to the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City on Aug. 19, 2025. (DSWD Photo)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian accompanies Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and other officials during their visit to the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City on Aug. 19, 2025. (DSWD Photo)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is working with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to secure funding for the construction of the Mindanao Disaster Response Center (MDRC).
The facility is expected to be equipped similarly to the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City and the Visayas Disaster Response Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City.
“Ang importante ay magkaroon na tayo sa lalong madaling panahon ng ganitong klase ng production center sa Mindanao (What’s important is that we establish this kind of production center in Mindanao as soon as possible),” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.
Currently, disaster response operations in Mindanao are handled by VDRC, but Gatchalian pointed out that establishing a dedicated hub in Mindanao would significantly improve the speed and efficiency of relief efforts.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman expressed support for the proposed MDRC and said the DBM is prepared to study the allocation of the proposed P1.5 billion budget for its construction.
“Dahil nakita po namin na itong mga proyekto ay nangyayari at nakikita natin na may magandang maidudulot po sa ating mga kababayan. Ang alam ko po ay mayroon ng available na property na paglalagyan sa Mindanao (Because we see that these projects are happening and we can see the good benefits they bring to our fellow Filipinos. What I know is that there is already available property in Mindanao for this),” Pangandaman said.
“So, mag-uusap kami ni Secretary Rex kung magkano ang kanyang kinakailangan para makapagpatayo tayo ng ganito. Sana masimulan natin within the year yung structure at ma-order na rin yung mga equipment (So, Secretary Rex and I will discuss how much he needs so we can build this. Hopefully, we can start the structure within the year and also order the equipment),” she added.
Gatchalian accompanied DBM officials, led by Pangandaman, during their visit to the NROC on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
During the visit, Pangandaman said the operations at NROC demonstrate how government funds are effectively utilized to reach the people.
DBM officials were briefed on key disaster response innovations, including the Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) program and the newly installed mechanized production system (MPS).
The BBH program integrates public and private supply chains to deliver essential food and non-food items to disaster-hit areas.
Meanwhile, the MPS has enhanced DSWD’s packing capacity through rice bagging machines with vacuum sealing and a barcoding system that tracks the movement of family food packs nationwide.

Related Tags

DSWD DBM REX GATCHALIAN AMENAH PANGANDAMAN MINDANAO DISASTER RESPONSE CENTER
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