The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office (FO) 1 – Ilocos Region Mobile Command Center (MCC) Deployment Team established MCC strike teams across the four (4) provinces in the Region to enhance disaster response operations. These teams will help streamline communication and coordination during disaster deployments, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), ensuring timely and effective reporting even when communication infrastructure is compromised.

As part of the DSWD FO 1’s preparedness efforts, led by the Disaster Response Management Division, orientations to MCC strike teams in Region 1 were successfully conducted. To ensure hands-on experience and reinforce the knowledge gained during the orientation, a monthly MCC setup will be carried out in each province. The MCC strike teams will perform return demonstrations and will be tasked with setting up the MCC. This practical exercise will help assess the teams’ capacity, readiness, and ability to handle real-time deployment situations, ensuring they are fully prepared for disaster response operations.

Each provincial MCC strike team is composed of a minimum of seven DSWD FO 1 employees, ensuring efficient operations during disaster response efforts. The team includes a Team Leader; two (2) members from the DSWD Government Emergency Telecommunications Team (DSWD-GETT); three (3) from the Incident Management Team which is composed of a Report Consolidator, Ground Validator and Ground Coordinator; and a Command Vehicle Operator. This structured team setup allows for streamlined coordination, effective reporting, and timely on-ground support during emergencies.

The deployment of the MCC will be determined based on the assessment of the DSWD FO 1 Regional Operations Center and will require the approval of the Responsible Officer during disaster operations. The MCC Deployment Team may be mobilized when disaster-stricken areas experience power outages and communication disruptions for 2 to 3 consecutive days, or when affected Local Government Units (LGUs) face communication breakdowns, delaying disaster report submissions.

As the Vice-chair for disaster response and early recovery, DSWD continues to innovate and enhance its mandate by providing essential Information and Communication Technology (ICT) support for decision-making, coordination, and response efforts. The MCC is a vital tool in strengthening disaster management systems, enabling quicker deployment of resources and improving real-time communication between National Government Agencies and LGUs, particularly in remote and GIDAs. (by: Nicole Kasandra A. Lipawen, Information Officer II