BARMM launches new emergency response office

COTABATO CITY ---  The government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao launched a new emergency and disaster response office – the Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READI-BARMM) last July 31 in Cotabato City.

The launching took place during the first organization meeting of the BARMM – Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) following the release of the Executive Order No. 12 signed by BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim on July 29, 2019.

Executive Order No. 12 provides for the establishment of the BDRRMC and a Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operation Center, the READI-BARMM, which shall be managed by the Ministry on Interior and Local Government (MILG).

The new office replaces the ARMM Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ARDRRMO) previously known as the Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART).

The MILG shall coordinate with all the ministers of the Bangsamoro Government, local government units, and the National DRRMC on programs and activities pertaining to disasters.

Also, the MILG shall be coordinating with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in monitoring and responding to displacements resulting from human-induced and natural calamities within the territorial jurisdiction of the region.

MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo said “the council shall prepare an action plan to review the proposed budget for responding to disasters.

Meanwhile, Chief Minster Murad expressed his full support on the establishment of the BDRRMC. “The organization of this council will allow us to be prepared at all times and will put in place our response and bring about the disaster resilient region,” he said.

He also mentioned that aside from the Bangsamoro Government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will be helping on the security of the region from those human-induced calamities.

“We are planning to establish the joint peace and security teams so we can collaborate more, especially with regards to the human-induced calamities,” he added.

He said the MILF is trying to open a dialogue with the extremist groups, hoping that the organization can convince them to join the peace process.

One of the provisions in Republic Act No. 11054, also known as Organic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OLBARMM), states that disaster risk reduction and management shall be one of the exclusive powers to be exercised by the Bangsamoro Government. (BPI-BARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)