Aid command, coordination center for victims of Marawi City clash set-up in Iligan City - OCD

From the Philippine News Agency (May 28): Aid command, coordination center for victims of Marawi City clash set-up in Iligan City - OCD

To expedite the release of aid to families displaced by the heavy fighting by government forces and Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) together with various National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member agencies have established an inter-agency regional command and coordination center in Iligan City.

The center will be managed by inter-agency focal persons from the response clusters of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Region 10.

It's goal is to provide a centralized provision of assistance to address the evolving crisis situation in Marawi City and other areas in Mindanao.

In a meeting conducted Saturday, efforts on the provision of relief including medical assistance and psychosocial support were discussed.

"Civil protection is paramount in situations like this. In every hazard may it be natural or human-induced, we are committed to serving our nation by protecting the communities," NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad said.

OCD is pushing for the Amendatory Bill on RA 10121 or the Philippine DRRM Law elevating the Agency towards enhanced Civil Defense and DRRM frameworks.

"As OCD has always advocated, Civil Defense and Civil Protection are all encompassing and cover the entire spectrum of prevention/mitigation, preparedess, response and recovery/rehabilitation," Civil Defense Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James E. Purisima said.

"Steadfast on our mandate, we will continue to improve our frameworks, policies, and protocols to serve our nation better towards a more resilient Philippines," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/991525