ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — “There is need to enhance our response mechanism due to the increasing complexities of disasters,” emphasized Office of Civil Defense (OCD 6) regional director Rosario Cabrera, three years after the June 21 flashflood caused by Typhoon Frank, resulting to the deadliest and costliest disaster in Western Visayas.

Cabrera, who also serves as the chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Region 6, said the foundation of this response mechanism is a strong disaster preparedness program.

“The barangay is always on the frontline. Preparations have to be made starting at the grassroots level,” OCD 6 regional director said.

She explained that from the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (BDRRMCs), the response moves up to the municipal, city, provincial, regional, and national levels.

Cabrera also emphasized the need to implement efficient communication protocols so as to effectively respond to disasters at the fastest time possible.

Disaster risk reduction management councils must have direct contact with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for constant weather and geo-hazards bulletins.

Cabrera recalled that Typhoon Frank harnessed the capacity of inter-government agencies in addressing the aftermath of a disaster especially on rescue operations, evacuation, shelter, food, sanitation, and health concerns.

Said super typhoon brought on floodwaters which engulfed half of Panay Island, causing billions of pesos in damages to infrastructure and the agriculture industry.

In Iloilo City alone, the typhoon killed 26 people, displaced 418,000 people or approximately 63% of the population, and completely destroyed 1,448 houses.

In Iloilo province, 131 died and 103 people were lost and feared dead while a third of some 1.6 million of the provincial population were displaced.