The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has allocated PHP54 million for the acquisition of mobile command and control vehicles (MoCCoV) to boost disaster response efforts in the region.

Recipients of the three vehicles are Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) in this city, Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City, and the local government of Pintuyan in Southern Leyte.

“All state colleges and universities are qualified as partners, but we only have budget for three MoCCoVs from 2024 to early 2025. We prioritized based on location and readiness,” said Marilyn Radam, DOST Eastern Visayas assistant regional director for technical operations during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing here Tuesday.

Each MoCCoV costs around PHP18 million and is equipped with a weather monitoring station, a rescue quadcopter drone, global satellite communication, surveillance equipment, and medical supplies,

It also houses a portable boat for rescue operations and a conference room, serving as a mobile command center. The vehicle’s solar and wind power capabilities ensure uninterrupted operations during power outages.

DOST tied up with state colleges and universities to leverage their expertise and manpower in engineering, information technology, and healthcare, ensuring the efficient operation and management of the MoCCoV, she said.

Radam said Eastern Samar was chosen for its seismic-prone location along the Philippine Trench, with ESSU being the only state university equipped to adopt the technology, while EVSU was chosen for its strong engineering, information technology, and local governance expertise, making it the most suitable institution for the MoCCoV project.

“Due to Southern Leyte’s high disaster risk, DOST partnered with the municipality of Pintuyan, improving its emergency response following the devastation of Super Typhoon Odette (international name Super Typhoon Rai) in December 2021,” she told reporters.

The official clarified that the selection process is based on preparedness and willingness to handle procurement rather than interest, as some local governments decline due to the “tedious process” involved in the project.

Developed by DOST, the command-and-control vehicle is a disaster response unit designed to enhance emergency preparedness. (PNA)