In a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) formally turned over the latest and state-of-the-art Mobile Command and Control Vehicle (MoCCoV) to Governor Luigi Villafuerte of the province of Camarines Sur on June 27, 2024, at the Digital Transformation Center, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili.

Due to its geographical location at the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is highly prone to typhoons. The frequency and intensity of these typhoons every year have emphasized the need of our country for a swift and efficient disaster response system. The Project MoCCoV of DOST, developed by a Filipino inventor, is an innovative solution designed to address this critical need.

The MoCCoV is equipped with the latest scientific and technological tools including communication and surveillance facilities, rescue and medical triaging, a conference room, and a portable boat. While powered by an electric supply, the MoCCOV can also remain operational through its built-in solar panels and wind turbines in the event that a direct power supply is no longer accessible. For its surveillance facilities, it has CCTV, searchlights, and an automated weather survey station that allows responders to monitor and anticipate any incoming natural calamities. It also has drone equipment that has the capability to deliver emergency equipment and supplies.

“In the province of CamSur, this project is truly important because in the history of our province, we all know that we are frequently hit by strong typhoons,” Governor Luigi Villafuerte said during the ceremonial turnover.

Due to its location and terrain, the province of CamSur is highly vulnerable to natural calamities including typhoons, floods, storm surges, and landslides. While strengthening its response team through skills training remains a priority to the Provincial Government, having the MoCCoV will prove to be highly instrumental as it will only increase the capabilities of CamSur’s responders.

With the primary objective of Project MoCCoV to mobilize science and technology for swift disaster response and recovery in disaster-prone regions of the Philippines, Governor Luigi iterated that the MoCCoV will not only be utilized within the Capitol.

“This mobile command center is in true essence with our line of government that we want to be able to provide services [and] we want to be able to provide security to the province of Camarines Sur not only here within the capitol, within the 3rd district, but in case an emergency in our far-flung localities arises, we will be able to give them a quality [and] accessible safety measures,” he explained.

He also added that the Provincial Government will aim to partner the mobile command center with the province’s mobile hospitals and diagnostic vans to ensure a mobile, swift, and accessible safety precaution for the province of Camarines Sur.

To end his speech, Governor Luigi extended his gratitude to the DOST for the MoCCoV and vowed that in case a neighboring community, municipality, or province needs assistance in response, the province of Camarines Sur will be quick to respond as it has always been in past calamities.