(Photo courtesy : Manila PIO fbpage)
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso led the groundbreaking of the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Flood Monitoring Command Center at the Manila North Cemetery, a project aimed at boosting the capital’s flood preparedness through real-time monitoring and faster emergency response.
Moreno said the facility will allow authorities to closely track flood conditions along rivers, creeks, and other high-risk areas across the city, helping officials make data-driven decisions during typhoons and heavy rains that regularly affect Manila.
The command center will house monitoring and control rooms, server facilities, offices and training spaces for disaster personnel, and support facilities such as generators and elevators. The complex will also include a mortuary and three fully air-conditioned public viewing rooms, providing dignified spaces for families who lack adequate facilities for wakes.
The mayor emphasized that accurate data and timely action can save lives and protect property, noting that flooding is a yearly challenge that requires constant readiness. He said the project reflects the city government’s commitment to act within its mandate by combining technology, planning, and trained personnel rather than relying on guesswork.
Moreno added that the facility also addresses long-standing concerns over the proper handling of unclaimed bodies and disaster-related cases through the establishment of a dedicated mortuary and coroner’s office. For the mayor, the project is about returning value to taxpayers by delivering services that protect lives and uphold human dignity, stressing that every life saved is a measure of success.