𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔, 𝐁𝐎𝐇𝐎𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
In line with Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s commitment to strengthening inter-local government collaboration and building more resilient communities, the Provinces of Cebu and Bohol have taken a significant step toward enhancing disaster preparedness and response through a proposed Cooperation Agreement on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).
The Cooperation Agreement was drafted during the Cebu-Bohol DRRM Regional Meet held in Cebu City from July 16 to 18, bringing together disaster managers from Cebu and all 49 local government units of Bohol to foster stronger coordination in disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
The agreement was presented by Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Head Ret. Col. Dennis V. Pastor to the Bohol delegation led by Bohol PDRRMO Chief Dr. Anthony R. Damalerio, institutionalizing the partnership between the two provincial DRRM offices.
Pastor said the cooperation framework seeks to strengthen interoperability between Cebu and Bohol by promoting collaboration in capacity building, information sharing, technical cooperation, and mutual assistance before, during, and after disasters.
Organized by the Cebu PDRRMO in partnership with the Cebu League of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (LDRRMOs), the three-day regional meet served as a venue for disaster managers to exchange experiences, discuss operational challenges, and identify strategies to further improve disaster preparedness and response across Central Visayas.
A key highlight of the activity was the sharing of lessons learned from recent disaster operations, allowing participants to exchange best practices and showcase innovative DRRM programs that may be replicated in their respective local government units.
To complement the discussions, the Bohol delegation visited several key disaster management facilities in Cebu on July 17, including the Cebu PDRRMO Command Center, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Warehouse, the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region VII.
The visit gave participants a firsthand look at disaster response systems, operational protocols, and emergency management practices implemented by these agencies.
As neighboring island provinces that continue to face multiple natural hazards, Cebu and Bohol reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining this partnership to ensure faster, more coordinated, and more effective disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts for their communities.
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