MANILA: Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has highlighted the need for the Metropolis to be disaster-resilient to ensure the safety and security of its residents. 'It is vital that we have a resilient Metropolitan Manila, not only its components but also as a whole,' Teodoro said during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Annex Building and its enhanced communications command center in Pasig City on Tuesday. The facility will serve as an emergency evacuation center in times of disaster, aside from being used for training and seminars. Teodoro, who also chairs the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), cited the importance of disaster risk reduction and various initiatives to protect the 'heart and soul of the Philippines' from natural and man-made calamities. 'We have disaster risk reduction in place, we have a safe Metropolitan Manila area - safe from all sorts of natural and man-made calamities. That's why po sa resilien ce program po ng ating Pangulo (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), napaka-importante po ng mga proyekto na katulad nito (That's why in the President's resilience program, projects like these are very important)," he added. He thanked acting MMDA chairperson Romando Artes for his contributions to the administration's resilience initiatives, including offering the new center as an alternative command post for the NDRRMC and the Office of Civil Defense in times of emergency. Teodoro also acknowledged the efforts of the MMDA in maintaining peace, safety, and efficient transportation within Metro Manila, addressing the challenges faced by the metropolis, such as the need for infrastructure developments and resilience measures, to include the Metro Manila-wide flood control project and traffic control initiatives. Meanwhile, Artes said the MMDA Annex building is more than just an extension of its main office. 'It represents a significant expansion of our commitment to public service and a testament to our dedication to sustainability and resilience,' he said. Source: Philippines News agency