The Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council convened on Tuesday to deliberate on plans and measures aimed at ensuring safety and security in the National Capital Region during the holiday season.
The council underscored the need to collaborate with local government units and various agencies to ensure effective communication and response strategies.
Among the issues discussed were potential health risks, including communicable diseases, foodborne illnesses, and dehydration; injuries from fireworks and fire incidents; and hydro-meteorological hazards such as typhoons, storm surges, and flash floods.
Preparations for earthquakes, tsunamis, and terrorism were also tackled.
The meeting was organized by lawyer Crisanto Saruca Jr., head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority–Public Safety Division, in cooperation with Senior Vice Chairperson George Keyser, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense–National Capital Region.
The MMDA said the meeting aimed not only to raise awareness but also to equip communities with the knowledge and resources needed to mitigate risks.
Discussions covered the deployment of assets in public spaces to ensure effective monitoring and rapid response, as well as the strict reporting of serious incidents during the holidays, including casualties and damage to property and infrastructure related to fireworks, fires, and other emergencies.
Among the topics discussed and approved were the contingency plan for high-intensity earthquakes; preparations for the Metro Manila Film Festival; the FY 2025 accomplishment report; and the MMDA’s programs on disaster prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and early recovery, and rehabilitation and recovery.
