Aiming to address gaps in service delivery during disasters, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through its Science for Change Program (S4CP), and the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila launched the first Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health (DRRM-H) Center on June 8, 2022.

The DRRM-H is a grantee of the Niche Center in the Regions (NICER) program under the DOST-S4CP. The DOST-S4CP is one of the ten recipients of the 2022 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) in the category of enhancing the effectiveness of public institutions to reach the SDGs.

Led by Dr. Carlos Gundran, the Center conducts three projects that seek to improve the current disaster management capacity of emergency responders and local government units in the country as follows:

1. E-Ligtas, a Web and Android application, allows individuals to request assistance or send a report on an incident. It can provide assistance to emergency responders during their missions. Integrated with the Preliminary Damage Cost Assessment Tool (PDCAT), this could be used as a healthcare facility functionality assessment information system. 
2. Unahon, derived from the Bisaya word “Unahon” meaning “to prioritize,” it captures the meaning of the tool which seeks to help responders prioritize mental health personnel and resources in cases where there is a great demand that exceeds current resources at evacuation centers. As a two-page checklist, Unahon helps in classifying internal displaced persons (IDPs) into three categories: red, yellow, and green. These categories can help determine if a specific behavior an IDP displays poses any risk of harm to self and/or others, or any risk of disruption of community and services in an evacuation center.
3. Simulation training designed for a more realistic outcomes-based training are being conducted for better preparedness on patient care, staff management, and interagency coordination and communication. It helps in familiarizing and strengthening the skills on command, communication and collaboration through the following systems: a) Emergo Train System, b) XVR virtual reality software and; c) Disaster Simulation Suite. 

“As we celebrate the National Disaster Resilience Month in July, the official launching of the UP Manila DRRM in Health Center is a timely addition to our Niche Centers in the Regions that focus on research efforts to improve our health service delivery and preparedness for adverse events. The DOST recognizes the commitment and hard work of our partners in paving the way for the country’s first center for excellence in the academe pertaining to DRRM-H-related issues,” says DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña.

The Center is monitored by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), along with seven other NICERs in Health R&D as follows:

1. Center for Applied Modeling, Data Analytics, and Bioinformatics For Decision-Support Systems in Health (AMDABiDSS-Health)
2. Center for Vector of Diseases of Public Health Importance in the Philippines for Region IV (CVDPHIL) 
3. Biomaterials for Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research and Development Center
4. Establishing the Integrated Protein Research and Development Center (IPRDC): A Biotechnology Facility for Health
5. NeuRoTech: Neurorobotics Technology Program Establishing the De La Salle University – Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Technologies – Niche Center in the Region (DLSU – IBEHT – NICER)
6. Research Center for Rehabilitation/Sports Medicine (OPLAN ATP [Atletang Pinoy])
7. Research and Development Center for Maternal and Child Health (ReDMatCH)

Aside from the tools and services provided from the DRRM-H Center, the UP Manila has also initiated relief operations as a response to the aftermath of typhoons Sendong, Yolanda, and Ulysses through the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod-Manila, its volunteer and public service arm.