The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, one of the leading business networks in disaster management, announced that it has started operating the world’s first national emergency operations center inside the Clark Freeport zone.
Clark Development Corp. President Noel F. Manankil said the free port appreciated the entry of the Foundation as a new locator.
The EOC is a self-sufficient operations hub geared towards training for disaster preparedness and the coordination of relief and response during major disasters.
The Foundation chose Clark as the best location for the facility for it is one of the designated recovery sites identified by the government in the national contingency plan and an ideal place due to its proximity to the Clark International Airport and Port of Subic Bay.
Foundation co-chairman Manny V. Pangilinan stressed that disaster management in the country should be a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector.
He also cited the Foundation’s effort for creating platforms in establishing a disaster-resilient Philippines.
“PDRF’s formation is premised on the conviction that disaster management is not solely up to the government. The despair of one must touch us all and everyone must help,” he said. With Romeo Dizon
The Foundation started operating in 2009 as a public private sector partnership as a response to the devastation caused by typhoon ‘Ondoy.’
It serves as a critical link among government agencies, civil society groups, international and local government units for disaster preparedness, relief and recovery.
Accordingly, the EOC will complement government efforts and highlight private sector initiatives in all aspects of response and early recovery as it will provide alerts and updates to the foundation’s network during emergency situations.
It has a command center which harnesses data from local and international sources to monitor earthquakes, tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions and pandemics.
It also maps data on public infrastructure to help protect them from hazards. With Romeo Dizon