The newly constructed three-storey Camalig Command Center (CCC) at Purok 1, Brgy. Salugan, Camalig, Albay was officially inaugurated today, October 1, 2024, in line with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office’s (MDRRMO) brand of service which leans on strengthening the municipality’s disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

 

The project, initiated by MDRRMO chief Rommel V. Negrete, Jr., PhD, JD, D Hum, and supported and funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 5, and LGU-Camalig, was completed after more than two years of construction, starting in November 16, 2021.

 

The CCC, serving as the town’s 24/7 nerve center for disaster management, is equipped with state-of-the-art, elderly and PWD-friendly facilities including front desk, office stockroom, Office of the MDRRMO-MGDHI, operations and warning division, research and planning division, MDRRM-CCAMC emergency operations center, CCC electrical room, situation rooms for hazard and incident monitoring, communications and radio room, meeting rooms, and more. These facilities aim to facilitate efficient operations and coordination among various agencies before, during, and after emergencies.

 

The inauguration ceremony was graced by key officials, including Camalig Mayor Hon. Carlos “Caloy” Irwin G. Baldo, Jr., Camalig Vice Mayor Hon. Maria Ahrdail “Ding” G. Baldo, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) ng Camalig members, LGU-Camalig department heads and functionaries, Albay 2nd District Representative Hon. Cong. Joey Salceda, OCD Region 5 Director Claudio Yucot, DPWH Albay 2nd District District Engineer Engr. Warren Azotea, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) chief Dr. Cedric Daep, chiefs from the Camalig Municipal Police Station (MPS), Camalig Fire Station (FS), and Camalig District Jail, Punong Barangays (PBs), and stakeholders.

 

Highlighting the importance of the CCC, OCD 5 Director Yucot emphasized the need for every LGU in Bicol to have a command center, stating that it is crucial for gathering vital data during disasters and coordinating response efforts, saying “Kailangan magkaroon talaga ng command center kasi itong facility, dito kinukuha ang mga mahahalagang datos at dito rin nabubuo ang desisyon ng response officials, dito rin nagcocoordinate ng lahat ng action ng mga local agencies.”

 

Mayor Caloy also expressed his strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for a unified and robust response system to ensure the safety and well-being of the community, “Kailangan din talaga natin ang ganitong command center kasi inaasam natin na maging matatag ang Camalig, at isahan lang ang ating galaw bilang response. May mga solusyon sa bawat problema, wag natin isipin ang problema, isipin natin lagi ang solusyon. Pwede tayong mauna, kung hindi pa ‘to ginagawa ng ibang bayan. Effort natin lahat ‘to, may kanya-kanya tayong ambag sa kinakailangan nating gawin para sa bayan. Itong lahat ng ito, para po ito sa bayan ng Camalig.”

 

Vice Mayor Ding, echoing Mayor Caloy’s sentiment, pledged her unwavering support to the MDRRMO, “Nandito po ang aming suporta 100% sa mga kailangan ng MDRRMO, para every time na may disaster, maging zero casualty.”

 

According to Negrete, the established CCC, with its advanced facilities and dedicated personnel, is expected to play a crucial and indispensable role in sustaining Camalig’s zero-casualty goal, which has been maintained for the last 13 years. Negrete also highlighted the “One Camalig” principle, stating that the CCC’s response capabilities rest in the united efforts of government agencies and the community.