OVP-DOC, NDRRMC forge partnership to address disaster management

The Office of the Vice President's Disaster Operations Center (OVP-DOC) has partnered with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council (NDRRMC) to spearhead and deliver the government's disaster response operations effectively.

According to the letter forwarded to OVP Undersecretary Zuleika T. Lopez from NDRRMC Undersecretary Raymundo B. Ferrer, the OVP-DOC has been included in the NDRRMC and its Technical Working Group (TWG) for "faster and more efficient response operations."

The move, the letter states, is in line with the OVP's directive of instituting efficient disaster response operations and preparatory activities.

"As advised by the Council, we will continuously engage with the OVP-DOC and provide updates on the ongoing initiatives and activities of the Council," Ferrer said.

"Further approved is the recommendation for the OVP-DOC to continuously participate in the relevant NDRRMC TWG/Pillar specifically on disaster-response-related activities and NDRRMC Technical Management Group Meetings," he added.

On December 25, 2022, the OVP-DOC, in collaboration with the following: Western Mindanao Command, Marine Battalion Landing Team 11, the 74th Infantry Battalion, the OVP Zamboanga Satellite Office, and the Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Office delivered relief boxes to flood-affected residents of Zamboanga City.

These packages contain essentials such as water, sanitary items, sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, and face masks.

Meanwhile, the OVP-DOC has already planned relief operations for Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte, both affected by flooding caused by a shear line that crossed northern Mindanao. -- BAP, GMA Integrated News