The local government of Cagayan de Oro credited the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department (CDRRMD) for the successful month-long Higalaay Festival. Jann Guillmore Actub, spokesperson for the City Mayor’s Office, said all CDRRMD personnel, led by department head Nick Jabagat, were fully deployed at festival activities to monitor rainy weather and emergencies.
“They were given a directive to be vigilant, and even had to delay some leaves in the office to be present,” Actub said. The team worked in shifts to maintain a 24-hour immediate response system, supported by barangay volunteers.
Actub added that the festival’s success, especially the culmination ceremony on Thursday, was due to the collaboration among the local government, civil society, and the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.
