Strengthening regional resilience: The Mindanao operations center takes shape
DAVAO CITY – As the Philippines faces increasingly severe and complex natural disasters, the national government is stepping up efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, especially in Mindanao. A key initiative under the Mindanao Agenda 2023–2028 is the creation of the Mindanao Disaster Resiliency & Resources Center (MDRRC) by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). Also known as the Mindanao Operations Center (MinDA OpCen), the facility aims to enhance regional coordination and ensure faster, more effective responses to emergencies.
The project, spearheaded by MinDA, was presented during an Inter-Agency Convergence Focus Group Discussion held on June 3, at the 10th BIMP-EAGA Hall in Davao City.
During the high-level inter-agency meeting, MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno emphasized the critical role of collaboration in addressing these challenges.
“Your presence at this inter-agency Focus Group Discussion is a strong testament to our shared commitment to strengthening disaster resiliency in Mindanao,” Magno said. “This gathering serves as a vital platform for open dialogue, collaborative thinking, and shared learning.”
Originally conceptualized as a large-scale Mindanao Resiliency and Resource Center (MDRRC) with a projected cost of P2 billion, the initiative has been refined through ongoing consultations with key national agencies, including the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Recognizing potential overlaps with existing infrastructure and pending agency proposals, MinDA strategically recalibrated its plans.
“From our previous discussions, I gathered valuable insights that prompted us to adjust our plan,” Sec. Magno explained. “While we continue to aspire to our original vision, MinDA will take an important interim step by establishing the Mindanao Disaster Resilience and Economic Information Center—which we call MinDA OpCen for short.”
The MinDA OpCen will serve a dual function:
• As a Unified Command Operations Center under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) framework for disaster response.
• As an Economic Information Center, providing real-time data for strategic decision-making.
This vital hub will process alerts, advisories, and situational reports, ensuring that key decision-makers—including the President—receive timely, validated, and actionable information. It will also function as a crucial coordination site during crises, enabling swift inter-agency collaboration.
“It will be an economic information center and, at the same time, serve as an operations center (OpCen) for the President, providing a strategic command facility for Mindanao. It will enable real-time coordination, data-driven decision-making, and high-level engagements during major disasters or emergency situations in the region,” Magno stated.
The MinDA OpCen will not duplicate or override the roles of existing agencies like the NDRRMC. Instead, it aims to complement and support their efforts by advocating for facility for them to use in Mindanao, aligning with broader resiliency strategies. It will also serve as a remote presidential office, enabling more focused response and oversight during disaster events.
“Most importantly, this initiative is not a duplication or an assumption of your functions,” Magno emphasized. “It is a collaborative effort with your respective agencies.”
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. Backed by strong inter-agency collaboration, it represents a major step forward in ensuring that no community is left behind during times of crisis. (MinDA/PIA Caraga)
