Rolly Magallanes Posted on September 23, 2026 at 09:07 PM
Tacloban City — Eastern Visayas is stepping up preparations for the possible effects of a strong El Niño, with disaster officials pushing for closer coordination among government agencies to help communities cope with the dry spell and other potential risks.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-8) discussed the proposed adoption of a Regional El Niño Action Plan (ENAP) during its third-quarter full council meeting on September 22 at The Tropics in Palo, Leyte.
The plan is intended to guide regional agencies in preparing for and responding to El Niño, including measures to reduce risks and address its possible effects on agriculture, health and other sectors.
RDRRMC-8 Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense Eastern Visayas Acting Regional Director Erwin Rommel Lamzon stressed the need for government agencies to work together and ensure that personnel, equipment and other resources can be mobilized quickly to assist local government units during disasters and emergencies.
The council also discussed stronger health preparedness, including a proposed resolution to intensify dengue prevention and control and encourage local governments to incorporate their disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) health plans into their local DRRM plans.
The measure also seeks to support the proper allocation and use of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for health-related programs and activities.
Disaster officials also considered institutionalizing the Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (RIACC) and strengthening the capabilities of agencies involved in disaster response.
These include Ready-to-Deploy Teams and Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Teams, which may be included in the region’s pool of response resources.
The teams and other resources may be mobilized through the RDRRMC-8 and RIACC-8 Emergency Operations Center during disasters and emergencies.
The council also took up the proposed adoption of the Regional Selection Committee composition and Regional Implementation Workflow under NDRRMC Memorandum Circular No. 07, series of 2026.
Photo courtesy: PIA Eastern Visayas
Being Martin Romualdez isn’t a Crime, Due Process Must Outrun Public Prejudice 
500 Leyte Students to Receive Free Eyeglasses After Vision Screening 
Philippine, Australian Troops Hold Joint Training in Samar as 8ID Eyes End to Insurgency by 2027 
Local Researchers Struggle to Access Government Data – UP Tacloban Professor 
Three Arrested as PDEA Dismantles Alleged Drug Den in Tacloban 
‘The Legend of Kankabatok and the First Blade’