The meeting served as a critical platform to align strategies, share updates, and synchronize actions in preparation for seasonal hazards. The agenda included a weather outlook briefing by DOST-PAGASA, which offered vital information to guide agencies in updating their contingency plans.

Representing DILG 8 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe, Local Government Capacity Development Division Chief, Rudith A. Roca, presided the said activity. Meanwhile, Engr. Romeo D. Faller Jr. presented the “L!STO sa Tag-Ulan” memorandum circular, underscoring LGU preparedness protocols for the rainy season.

This echoes the consistent guidance of DILG Region 8 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe, as he always emphasized the vital importance of preparedness in the face of emerging and evolving risks:

“We are confronted with emerging challenges and dynamic threats. Disasters can occur without warning, which is why we must continuously strengthen our strategies and enhance our readiness. Continuous improvement is key to ensuring preparedness and minimizing the adverse impacts of any potential risk.”

Additionally, cluster members discussed the 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) and affirmed support for mobilizing LGUs and documenting participation. The meeting also served as a venue to finalize the calendar of activities for the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) 2025, encouraging agencies to share and coordinate initiatives for the month-long observance.

The activity was attended by representatives of different national government agencies in Eastern Visayas namely Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Armed Forces of the Philippines – Philippine Army (AFP-PA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine Red Cross, Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD), and Department of Energy – Visayas Field Office (DOE-VFO).

As the Vice Chair for Disaster Preparedness under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the DILG continues to lead efforts in reinforcing the whole-of-government approach to disaster resilience and ensuring that local preparedness measures are timely and comprehensive through proactive risk management and institutional coordination.