PCDR, to celebrate its 40th founding anniversary

CRREED established the Network for Disaster Response – Panay (NDRP) on June 27, 1996. Under the leadership of CRREED, 22 organizations and institutions became part of this network. CRREED also became connected to a nationwide disaster preparedness and response organization network – Citizen’s Disaster Response Network. CRREED became one of its 17 disaster management and social development agencies from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The local and national network served as an effective mechanism for systematic and coordinated disaster response in Panay, providing additional strength in the delivery of relief services in terms of human resource mobilization and finance generation.

In April of 2008, the elected members of the Board of Directors of CRREED opted to change its organization’s name to Panay Center for Disaster Response. This institution became registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the same year. Now colloquially known as PCDR by its local and national network, it continued its work on Panay Island, and in some cases, extended its services to the neighbor Guimaras Island.

When Typhoon Frank hit the island in 2008, PCDR  launched Task Force Buliganay. The task force was activated to spearhead the clean-up activity in Iloilo City and reached more than 5,000 families during its relief distribution operation. 

When Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) tore the Philippines in 2013, it caused catastrophic damage to the majority of Visayas islands, including Panay. After its impact, PCDR conducted Relief Delivery Operations and Early Recovery Programs for the affected population of the provinces of Capiz, Northern Iloilo, Antique, and Aklan. PCDR also conducted a Rehabilitation Program that lasted for seven years since Yolanda’s impact. Ultimately, 22,000 households benefitted to these initiatives.

During the 2020 global pandemic, PCDR continued its services despite the limitations. It conducted the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and food packs to communities and conducted information campaigns on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the years, PCDR has been active in forwarding various campaigns including Climate Action and protection of Human Rights, and alleviating poverty.

PCDR, along with national network organizations, are pioneers of Community-Based Disaster Management. Since the 1980s, PCDR introduced this framework to Panay and Guimaras communities by imparting the notion that disasters occur as a result of people’s high vulnerability and capacity. Under this framework, a hazard does not always develop into a disaster.

This 2024, 40 years after the onslaught of Typhoon Undang, it is unfortunate to say that the work of PCDR as a disaster preparedness and response institution remains as important as ever as communities still experience high vulnerabilities and remain low-capacitated. However, the past 40 years are also filled with success stories that PCDR can take from moving forward. As PCDR celebrates its 40th year, it will remain steadfast in its work for the communities of Panay and Guimaras.