Cebu City has been grappling with the aftermath of relentless rains and flooding, prompting the mayor to convene the CCDRRMC, earlier this week for an assessment of the city’s readiness in addressing disastrous situations. | Photo courtesy: Nestor Archival FB page
CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival wanted to ramp up the city’s disaster preparedness and response mechanism, but is in a dilemma now, when he was met with the reality that the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) itself is currently facing a critical shortage of manpower.
Cebu City has been grappling with the aftermath of relentless rains and flooding, prompting the mayor to convene the CCDRRMC, earlier this week for an assessment of the city’s readiness in addressing disastrous situations.
“With unpredictable weather now the new normal, Cebu City is committed to staying two steps ahead, working hand in hand with barangays and partner agencies to ensure the safety and resilience of every Cebuano,” Archival posted on social media after its meeting.
Archival also directed to review its inventory of evacuation centers, emergency supplies, and rescue equipment to identify gaps and reinforce resources, as he ordered the continued desilting and dredging of major but overflowing-prone waterways, such as Lahug River, Estero de Parian, and Guadalupe River.
“We’ve started already, slowly but surely,” Comar said of the mayor’s order, noting that progress has been gradual. However, unresolved staffing concerns may compromise these efforts, he said.
Comar admitted that the manpower shortage issue wasn’t raised during the last City Council meeting, as he was aware of budget constraints. “We didn’t bring it up because of budget considerations,” he said.
Currently, the CCDRRMO has only 185 personnel, with five regular employees (including Comar) only, 68 casuals, and the rest on job orders.
Comar now faces the challenge of rebuilding the team from scratch. He hopes that when the city government resumes hiring emergency, rescue, and fire personnel, priority will be given to certified and experienced individuals.
This manpower shortage is a sharp decline from the over 400 personnel available during the time of then-mayor Mike Rama’s administration. It was when the city was able to mobilize responders to the city’s 80 barangays during the height of Typhoon Odette, said Comar.
The reduction in personnel in the current administration resulted in the loss of highly skilled personnel, including members of the training team. Some ambulances and rescue trucks remain unused due to the lack of trained crews and drivers, he said.
Another vital thing needed is the upgrade of rescue tools, Comar said, explaining that many of these tools date to Odette’s time in 2021 when these were purchased hastily due to the emergency at the time.
“Our rescue tools are from Odette’s time—some are already broken because they were hastily purchased, being in a calamity situation,” Comar told The Freeman, stressing the importance of investing in durable equipment aside from renting them.
Typhoon Odette struck Cebu on December 16, 2021 as a Category 5 super typhoon, leaving widespread devastation, flattening homes, downing power lines, and crippling infrastructure. Streets turned into rivers of debris, and many communities were plunged into darkness and isolation. Access to clean water, food, and medical supplies became critical, while power outages hampered rescue efforts.
On July 22, this year the City Council approved the declaration of state of calamity following weeks of torrential downpour and inclement weather that caused flooding, traffic gridlock, and landslides across the city. This state of calamity remained in force until recent days.
Councilor Dave Tumulak, chair of the Council’s committee on disaster response, clarified that the declaration was necessary to expedite desilting and dredging operations and unlock the city’s Quick Response Fund.
Of the ₱61 million calamity fund available for the third quarter, ₱15 million has been earmarked for urgent interventions, including heavy equipment rental and riverbank repairs.
Mayor Archival stressed that the declaration is not merely reactive but part of a broader strategy to prepare for more weather disturbances expected through December.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol
