Quezon City, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development has launched its latest disaster response station hub, the Mobile Command Center (MCC). The office hall hosted the send-off ceremony on May 28th.
With the help of science and technology, the new Mobile Command Centers aim to fill communication gaps during disasters and emergency operations.
Secretary Rex Gatchalian mentioned that Senator Joel Villanueva, who also attended the send-off ceremony, came up with the idea of the MCC.
The secretary emphasized that a lack of communication services hinders the flow of gathering information during calamities. This problem causes them to respond slowly.
He also noted that the central office often struggles to communicate with the hubs where the agency’s warehouses are located.
He said that with the MCC, the DSWD will continue to receive information from areas at the center of calamities.
“Pero ang nangyari, we have a hub but we can’t talk to our regional offices. This now completes the picture, that no matter what happens, no matter how far, the mobile command centers can be deployed in a disaster area and can continue transmitting data to our regional and to our central office so that we can react commensurate to the disaster that is happening real time,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his impromptu speech.
The custom-made MCC vehicles feature surveillance and communication devices, power supplies, and other electronic equipment essential for responding to disasters.
“The MCCs are custom-made vehicles equipped with surveillance and communication devices, power supply and other electronic equipment that are vital during disasters and emergencies,” Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe said in her message.
Secretary Gatchalian expressed his gratitude for the equipment they received.
“Nais naming magpasalamat sa ating panauhing pandangal, Senator Joel Villanueva, kasi siya yung nag-advocate nito. Sabi ko nga, pag sinabi kasing DSWD ang natatandaan lang are grant o yung tulong, tama naman yun pero para makapag-deliver yung mga social workers namin ng angkop na tulong, kailangan may kapasidad din kami na rumesponde,” Secretary Gatchalian said.