The Cebu Provincial Board has taken a significant step towards bolstering the province's resilience against health crises by approving a crucial ordinance on its second reading.
Institutionalizing a Health-Focused Disaster Framework
Authored by Second District Board Member Stanley Caminero, who chairs the Committee on Public Health and Social Services, the ordinance seeks to formally establish a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) system. This measure is designed to strengthen Cebu's preparedness and response capabilities for public health emergencies and disasters, including those intensified by climate change.
The proposed legislation aligns with several national laws, including the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 10121) and the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act No. 11223). It also follows related directives from the Department of Health, all advocating for health systems that are resilient, integrated, and centered on the people.
Key Components of the DRRM-H System
The ordinance mandates the creation of a functional system that weaves together governance, service delivery, resource management, and information systems. The goal is to ensure health responses during emergencies are timely, effective, and efficient. Specific provisions include:
- The organization of dedicated DRRM-H units within the Provincial Health Office and all local health offices across Cebu's component cities and municipalities.
- The development and proper funding of a comprehensive DRRM-H plan.
- The training and mobilization of specialized Health Emergency Response Teams.
- The strategic stockpiling of essential medicines and health emergency commodities.
- The establishment or activation of emergency operations centers dedicated to public health crises.
Coordinated Roles and Sustainable Funding
The measure clearly outlines the responsibilities of various stakeholders to ensure a unified front during disasters. The Provincial Health Board, the Provincial Health Office, and local health offices will work alongside both public and private healthcare providers. This collaboration is vital for maintaining coordinated service delivery, functional patient referral systems, and uninterrupted care when emergencies strike.
To ensure the system's viability, funding for implementation can be drawn from multiple sources. These include the province's annual budget, subsidies from the national government, and supplemental funds from concerned agencies. All financial allocations will, of course, be subject to standard government budgeting and auditing rules.
The approval on second reading, which occurred on December 23, 2025, marks a pivotal move towards making Cebu's health infrastructure more robust and responsive in the face of growing threats from natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
