PDRRMO Quezon bolsters disaster resilience with NDRM Summit

By Shai Garcia Senator JV Ejercito and Quezon Governor Dr. Helen Tan join PDRRMO Quezon Chief Dr. Melchor Avenilla Jr. and other key officia...

By Shai Garcia

Senator JV Ejercito and Quezon Governor Dr. Helen Tan join PDRRMO Quezon Chief Dr. Melchor Avenilla Jr. and other key officials and government employees at the 2nd NDRM Summit 2025, highlighting collaborative efforts in disaster resilience.

LUCENA CITY, Quezon – The Quezon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) showcased its comprehensive disaster resilience strategies and activities at the recent Kapihan sa PIA forum. Held on July 16 at Pacific Mall Lucena’s Acitvity Center, the forum underscored the province's commitment to public safety during National Disaster Resilience Month.

During the discussion, Dr. Melchor Avenilla Jr., Chief of Quezon PDRRMO, emphasized the critical need for public preparedness in the face of seasonal hazards. He specifically cited typhoons, floods, and landslides as recurring threats to the province, highlighting that early preparation is key to minimizing the impact of unforeseen events.



According to Dr. Avenilla, Quezon Province currently stands at 80% disaster preparedness, which is a strong foundation. However, the provincial government aims to reinforce the remaining 20% through improved infrastructure, additional equipment, and fully-operational local weather stations. This effort will address existing gaps in water level monitoring and weather station capabilities, even though frontline personnel are already trained and equipped.

Dr. Avenilla also detailed the province’s three strategic pillars for disaster resilience—education, community engagement, and empowerment—stressing the importance of sustained information campaigns. Close coordination with the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office is also vital, equipping farmers with knowledge on climate-appropriate crops and adaptive agricultural practices to mitigate risks posed by changing weather patterns.

Proactive Initiatives and Community Engagement

Quezon Province kicked off the month with various proactive initiatives, showcasing an inclusive approach to resilience building. These included mangrove planting in Pagbilao and specialized skills training for vulnerable sectors like the LGBTQIA community, senior citizens, solo parents, women, and persons deprived of liberty (PDL).

The month's activities also featured a Static Display and Photo Exhibit Contest at SM City Lucena, aimed at further engaging the broader community in disaster preparedness. This public exhibit allowed residents to visualize and understand practical safety measures, displaying emergency kits, survival techniques, and local hazard maps.

Dr. Avenilla acknowledged the commendable preparedness efforts of local government units, noting that several barangays and municipalities in Quezon have been recognized for their adherence to national disaster preparedness plans. However, he underscored that household-level planning remains paramount. He strongly advocated for every family to develop their own disaster preparedness plan, referencing programs like "Listong Pamilyang Pilipino."

An upcoming development is the Quezon Preparedness Operation Center, which will soon launch as a centralized hub for training and emergency response coordination. Furthermore, institutional support for responders was confirmed with the provision of insurance coverage for NDRRM volunteers.

2nd NDRM Summit 2025, Honoring Frontliners

The 2nd NDRM Summit 2025, held on July 15 at the sprawling Quezon Convention Center, marked the culmination of the month-long observance. This high-profile event drew over 1,500 participants, including local officials, community leaders, and disaster risk reduction advocates.

During the summit, barangay DRRM officers and LGUs were honored for their invaluable role as frontliners in disaster response. Prominent figures like Senator JV Ejercito and Quezon Governor Dr. Helen Tan were in attendance.

A key highlight of the summit was the turnover of rescue tricycles to barangays in geographically isolated areas such as Patnanungan and Jomalig, significantly boosting their immediate response capabilities. These tricycles are equipped with essential tools and medical supplies for emergency situations.

Quezon Province’s observance of National Disaster Resilience Month clearly demonstrated its unwavering commitment to disaster preparedness and inclusive resilience. This effectively proved that coordinated action across all sectors—from provincial leadership to individual households—strengthens public safety and empowers communities to withstand and recover from future challenges.