DAVAO CITY — As the Mindanao Disaster Resiliency and Resources Center (MDRRC), also known as the Mindanao Operation Center (MinDA OpCen), is being established, national and regional government agencies have expressed support for the creation of the center for the island region.
In a statement on Friday, MinDA chair Secretary Leo Tereso Magno described the MinDA OpCen as a central hub to improve disaster preparedness, response, and coordination across the island.
Originally conceptualized as a large-scale MDRRC with a projected cost of PHP2 billion, the initiative has been refined through ongoing consultations with key national agencies, including the Office of Civil Defense, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“The Mindanao Operations Center is more than just infrastructure; it is an institutional commitment to building a better Mindanao through smarter, faster, and more coordinated disaster governance,” Magno said.
The proposed OpCen is envisioned as a state-of-the-art disaster response and coordination hub modeled after Japan’s advanced disaster prevention systems.
“It aims to serve as the Mindanao counterpart of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) operation center in Luzon and the Visayas,” Magno added.
Ednar Dayanghirang, regional director of OCD-11, said the center will enhance disaster coordination and readiness across the island.
“This will enable more efficient disaster response and resilience, not just for Davao but for the entire Mindanao. It also provides a larger space for training and coordination,” he said.
The initiative supports the Marcos administration’s agenda on disaster resilience, emphasizing stronger institutional frameworks and localized response systems.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has consistently emphasized the need for dedicated facilities and mechanisms to enhance national and regional preparedness, including his push for a Department of Disaster Resilience. PNA