The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) XII—Disaster Preparedness Committee convened its 1st Quarter Meeting for CY 2025 on March 11, 2025, at the DILG XII Regional Office in Koronadal City. Eighteen member agencies attended the meeting and discussed the region's commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness efforts.

DILG XII Regional Director Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESE, Vice Chairperson of the Disaster Preparedness Committee, officially opened the meeting. She delivered a message underscoring the importance of disaster preparedness, quoting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s speech at the 2024 Gawad Kalasag Award: "The bravery, the resilience, the ingenuity, and the compassion of the Filipinos always prevail, especially in times of crisis. We are proud of these qualities, though sometimes borne out of harsh necessity."

This statement echoed the critical need to enhance disaster preparedness across all levels of government and society. Atty. Mahinay-Sero emphasized that ensuring the safety and well-being of communities is not the responsibility of any single entity but a collective mission requiring a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

Some important things on the agenda are improving disaster preparedness in the region, which will be covered by a presentation on the Typing of the Regional Incident Command System (ICS) by DOST-PAGASA and a presentation by OCD XII on NDRRMC Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2025, which is called "Guidelines in Reporting Affected Populations and Pre-Emptive Evacuations." The committee also received updates from various member agencies on their ongoing initiatives and developments related to disaster preparedness.

A significant highlight of the meeting was the approval of four resolutions, which will now be forwarded for subsequent adoption by the RDRRMC XII Full Council. These resolutions focused on the following:

1. Encouraging the local government units of Region XII to support fire prevention, disaster prevention, and mitigation.

2. Proposal to Organize a Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Development of a Concept Note and Guidelines regarding the Typing of the Regional Incident Management Team (Type 2)

3. Encouraging LGUs and RDRRMC agencies to intensify preparations for various weather disturbances and adherence to “Guidelines in Reporting Affected Population and Pre-Emptive Evacuations.”

4. The proposal aims to create a Memorandum of Understanding between RDRRMC XII and LDRRMCs of Region XII. This will spell out the rules and procedures for sending LGU resources, such as responders, to help RDRRMCs in other regions during augmentation operations.

In addition, the DILG-LGCDD, as the secretariat, also presented the synthesis and agreements that transpired during the meeting for appropriate action by the member agencies.

Concluding the meeting, Atty. Sero expressed optimism about the continued efforts of the Disaster Preparedness Committee, noting that these initiatives are crucial in creating a more resilient and prepared region. She adjourned the session with a call for ongoing dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of unity in addressing the challenges posed by disasters.

The meeting set the stage for future engagements, with all participants committed to strengthening regional disaster risk reduction and management.