BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) approved a resolution institutionalizing the Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (IACC) during its 4th Quarter Full Council Meeting on Nov. 28, 2024.
The Regional IACC is a multi-agency platform rooted in the vision for quick decision-making, streamlining coordination, and a venue for collaborative disaster risk assessment and planning.
The IACC provides operational and tactical support to NDRRMC and its member agencies. It aims to provide a common operational picture for all government agencies and disaster response organizations, and serve as a venue for collaborative risk assessment and planning.
“The institutionalization of the Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (IACC) originated during the response for tropical cyclone Kristine which was activated by the NDRRMC Chairperson, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. to streamline coordination for relief efforts, collaboration of multi agencies to ensure government efforts in the affected areas of these tropical cyclones,” Office of Civil Defense Cordillera Operations Section Chief Frankie Cortez said.
Teodoro issued Memorandum No. 355-2024 directing the National DRRMC and its offices and member agencies to adopt the IACC.
On November 24, 2024, the Cordillera RDRRMC issued Memorandum No. 153, s. 2024 establishing and activating the Cordillera Regional IACC to ensure maximum, timely, and responsive monitoring, warning, coordination, interoperability, and facilitation of preparedness and response readiness measures in the region.
Cortez clarified that the institutionalization of the RIACC does not change the operation ability of the response clusters and is not a substitute for an operation center, rather, it complements the existing concepts and systems in disaster risk reduction and management.
“To analyze our present situation and develop close to reality life scenarios, also to help in better information management, IACC will take action. It is a necessary cell to integrate seamless interoperability before, during, and after major disaster management operations,” Cortez added.
The institutionalized Regional IACC will be chaired by OCD-CAR Regional Director Albert Mogol. (JDP/DEG with Betha Servito-PIA CAR- SLU Intern)
