The groundbreaking ceremony for the Andrew L. Tan Iloilo City Action and Response (ICARE) command center took place on March 3, 2023, at Iloilo Business Park, Megaworld Iloilo. The two-story, 2500 square meter facility is the sixth ICARE facility in the metro and is designed to pool the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), Iloilo City Emergency Responders (ICER), Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), barangays, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel for faster action and mobilization.
The event was graced by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, Congresswoman Yedda Marie Romualdez, Alliance Global Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Kevin Tan, Megaworld Corporation Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ms. Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, PAGCOR Chairman & CEO Alejandro Tengco, Congressman James Jojo Ang, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, City Councilors, Bureau of Fire (BFP) and Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) officials, City Hall Department Heads, and Barangay Officials.
Mayor Treñas said, "We are establishing these facilities to immediately respond to emergencies and urgent situations. Our goal is to create a more resilient metropolis for all."
The new ICARE facility will not only boost emergency response and disaster preparedness, but it will also bring a sense of security. "Furthermore, this new facility will facilitate the synergy and harmony between the City Government, government agencies, and our people here in Iloilo Business Park, while we work together in securing and protecting the welfare of residents, employees, and customers inside this township," said Mr. Tan.
The facility will also house the Barangay Hall of Barangay Airport, the Mandurriao Health Center, and the City Library. With this new addition, Iloilo City is taking a significant step towards building a more resilient metropolis and ensuring the safety and security of its residents.