Bangsamoro Disaster Response Plan Prioritizes Family Safety
COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro government officially launched the Bangsamoro Disaster Response Plan (BDRP) on August 20, 2025, marking the region’s first multi-hazard strategy designed to protect families and children from the growing threats of natural and man-made calamities. This comprehensive plan aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Supported by the Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), the Bangsamoro Disaster Response Plan emphasizes the protection and welfare of BARMM’s 1.7 million children and their families, who face escalating risks due to climate change and conflict.
Urgency of Building Resilience in BARMM
The launch event took place at the KCC Mall of Cotabato, the largest shopping center in the region, just a day after the World Humanitarian Day on August 19. Officials highlighted the critical need to enhance resilience against frequent disasters such as flash floods, landslides, typhoons, and armed hostilities that continue to affect the area.
BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua declared, “Consistent with our duty to uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro people and guided by the principle of moral governance, we offer the Bangsamoro Disaster Response Plan as the embodiment of our shared commitment to safeguarding life and property, upholding dignity, and strengthening our resilience in the face of disasters and adversity.”
Disaster History Highlights Need for Action
Community members recalled that in October 2022, Tropical Storm Paeng resulted in 63 fatalities and displaced thousands, with damages exceeding ₱3.5 billion. More recently, data from the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) BARMM showed that flash floods in July 2024 affected over 187,000 families, primarily in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
These recurring emergencies severely impact children’s safety and disrupt essential services such as education, healthcare, and peace-building efforts in this post-conflict region.
Comprehensive Framework for Disaster Response
The Bangsamoro Disaster Response Plan enhances the region’s ability to effectively respond to natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other emergencies. It aims to protect lives, reduce disruptions to BARMM’s recovery, and build stronger community resilience. The plan also calls on local government units to activate their resources and lead emergency response operations.
Officials reported that the plan’s development involved extensive consultations with BARMM ministries, local government units, civil society organizations, and humanitarian partners to ensure that it addresses real community needs and encourages grassroots participation.
International Support and Commitment
KOICA’s Philippines country director, Jung Youngsun, expressed pride in supporting the Bangsamoro government through Unicef. He emphasized, “This plan is not just about responding to emergencies — it is about saving lives, protecting children, and ensuring that communities can stand strong in the face of future disasters. KOICA will remain a committed partner in strengthening BARMM’s resilience and safeguarding its people.”
Meanwhile, Behzad Noubary, UNICEF acting representative to the Philippines, underscored the vulnerability of children in the Philippines, one of the most disaster-prone countries globally. He said, “We are grateful to work with KOICA and the Bangsamoro government on this important initiative and remain committed to advancing climate change mitigation and adaptation — including by strengthening climate-resilient social services for children.”
Local Leadership Emphasizes Preparedness
BARMM Social Welfare Minister Raissa Jajurie stated during the launch, “We have come together here in today’s event, not in the face of an emergency, but with the foresight to prepare for one.” She acknowledged the reality of natural hazards such as floods, landslides, storm surges, droughts, and earthquakes, as well as human-induced disasters, and stressed the importance of readiness.
Jajurie described the BDRP as the region’s first multi-hazard response plan, providing overall guidance to all BARMM ministries, agencies, and networks involved in disaster risk reduction and management. “It is a comprehensive framework designed to protect our lives, our homes, and our community,” she added.
She further explained that the plan outlines clear steps to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, covering all phases from pre-impact to post-impact. “This plan is a testament to our collective commitment and responsibility. It is not just a piece of document, but a commitment to our community’s safety,” she concluded.
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