Masbate City–Local disaster risk reduction and management officers (DRRMOs) from across the Bicol Region gathered on June 18-21 for the first regional convention of its kind in Balud, Masbate, where they officially launched the Bicol Regional Federation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers Association—a new organization that seeks to unify DRRM workers, strengthen inter-provincial coordination, and advocate for long-overdue reforms in the sector.
The federation was formed to address long-standing gaps in representation for DRRM officers, particularly in decision-making spaces at the regional and national levels. By organizing first at the regional scale, members hope to eventually help build a national network that can collectively push for institutional changes, including the establishment of clearer mandates and improved employment conditions for DRRM personnel.
Monreal, Masbate DRRMO Maryann Capellan, who was elected as the federation’s first president, said one of the group’s priorities is to advocate for the passage of a dedicated Magna Carta for DRRM workers—a measure that has been proposed but not yet enacted. The federation also hopes to be part of discussions on existing labor policies that currently leave many DRRMOs in vulnerable employment setups.
Among the most urgent issues raised during the three-day convention were the lack of permanent plantilla positions in many DRRM offices and the heavy reliance on job order (J.O.) personnel. While the law mandates at least four key positions per DRRM office under RA 10121, most local government units still fall short of this requirement.
Officers shared that their teams are expected to respond to all types of hazards—from typhoons and floods to fires and landslides—yet many staffers do not receive hazard pay and are regularly replaced when political administrations change. This not only disrupts continuity but also wastes government resources spent on training and capacity building.
“There are highly trained responders who are let go just because of politics. That’s not just a loss of talent—it’s also a loss of investment,” said Capellan, pointing to the need to institutionalize positions so that qualified personnel are retained regardless of local leadership changes.
The convention also served as a venue for exchanging good practices across provinces. Some municipalities shared how they passed local ordinances to institutionalize their municipal and barangay emergency response teams, ensuring that systems remain intact even during political transitions.
Participants agreed that while inter-LGU cooperation during disasters is nothing new in Bicol, a formal federation can help streamline assistance, promote standardized protocols, and ensure timely and coordinated responses across provinces.
As one of the most disaster-prone regions in the country, Bicol’s DRRM officers said it was only fitting that the region took the lead in building such an organization.
The federation is currently undergoing registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a civil society organization. Once completed, the group will be formally recognized and given a seat in the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), providing local officers with a voice in shaping regional policies and programs.
Representatives from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol, Civil Service Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police joined the convention to help clarify legal frameworks and institutional standards for DRRM offices.
While the federation is not a government entity, it will have the support of regional agencies in an advisory capacity. Its officers were elected with a rotating leadership scheme to ensure equal opportunity for provinces to lead. Capellan will serve as president for the first two-year term, joined by other officers from Camarines Norte, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon.
The creation of the federation also aligns with growing calls from the ground to professionalize the DRRM workforce—by securing job security, defining career paths, and ensuring proper benefits for those working on the frontlines of climate and disaster emergencies.