Davao City has significantly boosted its disaster response capabilities with the distribution of 38 new land and water vehicles to various agencies responsible for handling emergencies and calamities.

Blessing Ceremony Marks the Distribution

The city government organized a blessing ceremony at the City Hall on Friday morning to commemorate the arrival of these critical resources. The ceremony not only symbolized the goodwill but also emphasized the importance of advanced preparedness in protecting the welfare of the residents.

Allocation of Vehicles to Agencies

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) received three ambulances, crucial for quick medical responses during emergencies.

The City Engineer’s Office (CEO) will utilize four wheel-type excavators, three 10-wheeler dump trucks, four 6-wheeler dump trucks, and one 6-wheeler multi-purpose vehicle. These vehicles will be vital for debris removal and flood mitigation efforts.

The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) will receive a van, an open dump truck, and three additional dump trucks, supporting their enhanced safety and growth condition programs for urban trees.

The City Transport and Traffic Management Office will distribute three mobile emergency vehicles. The Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao City and Task Force Davao each received one fiber boat, essential for water-based rescue operations.

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is equipped with five disaster response trucks, four all-terrain 4×4 trucks, and four fiber boats, enhancing their capacity to address emergency situations effectively.

Blessing Ceremony Speech

During the blessing ceremony, CDRRMO head Alfredo Baloran expressed his gratitude, stating that the vehicles are a “great Christmas gift” that will greatly improve their services during calamities. Baloran added, “The blessing is also timely this Christmas season, as it will enable us to start the new year with these new vehicles. These vehicles will significantly enhance our capacity to serve and protect the welfare of all Dabawenyos, particularly during times of disaster and emergency.”

Supplemental Budget Allocation

The CDRRMO received P637,704,000 from Supplemental Budget (SB) 1. Out of this, P135,517,000 was allocated to Central 911. Central 911 is Davao City’s primary emergency response service, providing medical assistance, search and rescue, fire auxiliary, and K-9 services to residents.

The budget allocation also includes funding for other agencies. The CDRRMO allocated P21,028,000 to the Davao City Police Office for specialized DRRM vehicles, P6,412,000 for Task Force Davao’s search and rescue equipment, P19,743,000 to CENRO for urban tree safety vehicles, and P96,000,000 for CEO’s debris clearing and flood mitigation vehicles.

Previous Priorities Highlighted

In August, Baloran advocated for the upgrading and expansion of vehicles and equipment for disaster and emergency response, emphasizing this as a “priority” for the city government. The recent distribution of these vehicles aligns with this strategic initiative, ensuring timely emergency responses and enhancing basic services.

Conclusion

Davao City’s commitment to disaster preparedness and community safety is evident through the distribution of these new vehicles. With enhanced resources, the agencies will be better equipped to respond to emergencies, protect residents, and mitigate disasters effectively.

“These vehicles will significantly enhance our capacity to serve and protect the welfare of all Dabawenyos, particularly during times of disaster and emergency,” Baloran emphasized.