THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority launched Tuesday the Metro Manila Crisis Monitoring and Management Center that will implement and coordinate emergency response measures especially during natural calamities and other crisis situations in the metropolis.
The facility was established in line with the initiative of the government to minimize loss of casualties during times of emergencies.
MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the MMCMMC will implement appropriate measures to reduce the impact of negative effects to the victims or the public, and closely monitor events such as multiple vehicular accidents with massive casualties, industrial or chemical accidents, fire incidents, explosions, transport strikes, mass actions (protests and high population density events), epidemic or suspected release of biological agents, events of chemical, biological, radiological-nuclear nature (CBRN), widespread flood and seismic events.
The facility will integrate the function of the agency’s Flood Control Information Center which gathers and disseminates information to public during inclement weather and mitigate effects of flash floods.
The agency has also shared the facilities of Metrobase with the MMCMMC to gain access to video images all over the metropolis which is being manned by its officer and staff to ensure traffic control to facilitate movement of critical rescue services to victims affected by the emergency events. This will also save costs of installing a new structure to carry out its functions.
Other tasks of the MMCMMC include mobilizing or directing resources of the MMDA to take emergency actions or coordinate with other agencies in providing appropriate resources to address these incidents and ensuring timely and widest dissemination of vital information to the decision-makers including the public in general.
The center shall be operating on a 24/7 basis including holidays and shall report to the MMDA Chairman through the General Manager or their designated officers.
The MMDA is mandated by its charter, Republic Act 7924 to formulate, implement and coordinate activities to ensure public safety especially those pertaining to emergencies in Metro Manila.
It is also directed to take lead roles in various bodies such as the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Countil and the Presidential Task Force on Transport Strikes and Mass Actions.