CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Twenty-four local government units (LGUs) in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) simultaneously signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) Friday with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for modernized projects on disaster preparations

The MOA signing formed part of the culmination activities for the Mindanao leg of the Oct. 4-6 “Handa Pilipinas” Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Exposition 2023 held in this city.

It provides LGUs access to disaster risk reduction technologies and innovations developed by Filipino inventors and researchers.

Meanwhile, the DOST will provide technical assistance in creating and executing disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) initiatives.

During her speech, Director Romela Ratilla of DOST-10 said the signing is just the start of many future engagements as the agency aims to partner with more LGUs to promote science, technology, and innovation as tools against disasters.

“Let us persistently work to make the Philippines more innovative, safe, (disaster) resilient, and prepared for future uncertainties,” she said.

The agency also pledged to provide capacity building, training, and technical support to LGUs for disaster preparedness and mitigation. This includes early warning systems and hazard assessment platforms with various programs and applications developed by scholars and inventors.

The Handa Pilipinas is a nationwide event led by the DOST. Its DRRM technology exposition here is the first in Mindanao. (Nef Luczon/PNA)