THE City of Manila broke ground on Tuesday for its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Flood Monitoring Command Center, a facility aimed at strengthening the city’s disaster preparedness.
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who led the groundbreaking ceremony at the Manila North Cemetery, said that the command center will be crucial in safeguarding the people, especially during severe flooding.
“This facility may save lives with accurate data, timely action and information. We could save lives and property during challenging times,” Domagoso said.
Domagoso emphasized the importance of local government action in disaster preparedness, noting that while the national government addresses broader flood control issues, the city must also be proactive.
“What can the local government do to be a part of the solution? Not to point fingers, but to act on the matter. To help its citizens or constituents,” he added.
He also highlighted the unique challenges faced by Manila’s densely populated villages, where families often live in cramped conditions, highlighting the need for preventive measures during severe flooding.
“It’s really hard to be poor, honestly. That’s what the people of the country are requesting — to address such possible incidents,” Domagoso added.
The mayor also announced that the city will have a fully air-conditioned public wake facility for poor Manileños, located next to the Manila North Cemetery.
He emphasized that this public wake facility is meant to restore dignity to the city’s most vulnerable, even in death.
“Because even if you’re poor and you’re dead, we — the government — must give back dignity,” Domagoso said.
