DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Council, during its 15th regular session on Tuesday, Oct. 21, passed on third and final reading an ordinance institutionalizing the establishment, operation, and maintenance of a comprehensive Multi Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) here.

The Committee on Appointments and Government Reorganization and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, chaired by Councilor Alberto Ungab, endorsed the ordinance that sets out the system’s governance structure, funding sources, and penalties for violations.

The ordinance cites Davao City’s exposure to natural and human induced hazards – including typhoons, floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, droughts, epidemics, and industrial accidents – and aligns the city’s risk reduction program with the Local Government Code, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Under the measure, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is designated as the lead implementing agency.

A Multi Hazard Early Warning Council will be created to guide implementation, with representation from national science and hazard agencies such as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the Department of Science and Technology, civil society groups, telecommunications companies, barangays, academe, the private sector, and other organizations.

The MHEWS is built around four key components:

-- Disaster risk knowledge, including multi hazard mapping, risk scenarios, and capacity and vulnerability analyses;

-- Detection, monitoring, analysis and forecasting through networks of meteorological, hydrological, and seismic sensors, real time data processing and impact based forecasting;

-- Warning dissemination and communication via clear protocols and multiple channels from mobile and broadcast alerts to community sirens, ensuring inclusive, accessible messaging;

-- Preparedness and response capabilities, such as contingency planning, evacuation routes, resource mobilization, capacity building, and regular drills and exercises.

Ungab said the ordinance details responsibilities across city offices.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will oversee overall implementation and policy direction and the CDRRMO will operate and maintain the City Warning Center/Operations Center, coordinate with national agencies, conduct training, and monitor system effectiveness.

The City Planning and Development Office, City Engineer’s Office, Social Welfare and Development Office, City Health Office, City Information Office, the Davao City Police Office, and Bureau of Fire Protection are assigned roles ranging from integrating risk assessments into plans to managing evacuation centers and supporting enforcement.

Barangays are mandated to establish their own barangay level MHEWS aligned with the system. Their tasks include conducting hazard and vulnerability assessments, designating and training early warning teams, maintaining alert devices, disseminating warnings, updating community contingency and evacuation plans, holding regular drills and awareness campaigns, keeping updated lists of vulnerable households, and reporting incident updates to the CDRRMO.

To sustain operations, funding will come from the city’s annual appropriations, particularly the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, grants and assistance from national and international organizations, partnerships with the private sector, and other legitimate sources.

Also stated in the ordinance was a specific budget line item that will be created for the MHEWS, and barangays must allocate a portion of their own disaster funds for barangay level initiatives. The ordinance also directs the CDRRMO to pursue partnerships and resources to strengthen the system.

Concerned agencies will establish a monitoring and evaluation framework to regularly assess the system’s effectiveness, efficiency, and impact, which includes periodic reviews of performance indicators, post event assessments, an annual comprehensive audit, and stakeholder feedback mechanisms.

The CDRRMO must submit an annual report to the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the status of the MHEWS, including achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

Penal provisions prohibit tampering with or damaging MHEWS equipment and infrastructure, spreading false alarms or misleading information on hazards and warnings, and obstructing system operations.

Public officials who, without justifiable cause, fail to disseminate warnings under established protocols face administrative disciplinary action, without prejudice to criminal liability if warranted.

Violations such as tampering, false alarms, and obstruction carry penalties of a fine of not less than P5,000, imprisonment of one to six months, or both at the court’s discretion. If the offender is a corporation, partnership, or other juridical entity, liability attaches to the responsible officer.

The ordinance includes separability and repealing clauses and will take effect 15 days after complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Davao City.