Abandoned compound now houses PDRRMO

After years of sitting idle and being flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA), a former quarantine and evacuation facility in Sitio Grotto, Barangay Apas, Cebu City has been transformed into the permanent headquarters of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

- Jonnavie Villa/FPL

According to PDRRMO head Ret. Col. Dennis Pastor, the compound, which was constructed in 2017 and barely utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, underwent rehabilitation costing P9 million to make it fully operational.

Cebu provincial officials formally inaugurated the facility on Friday, January 9.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony. She was joined by Provincial Administrator Ace Durano, Public Health consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan of PRO-7, and Cebu Police Provincial Office director PCol. Abubakar Mangelen Jr., among other officials.

The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Fr. John Mission, national director of Stella Maris-Philippines, and was attended by Capitol department heads and invited guests.

Baricuatro said the facility fills a longstanding gap in the province's disaster management system, emphasizing the importance of having a dedicated, province-owned command center.