DOST-NCR Boosts Caloocan City’s Disaster Response with MoCCoV Technology, Aims for a Smart Caloocan

The City of Caloocan’s capability to respond to disasters and calamities got a major boost with the Department of Science and Technology-NCR’s turnover last January 22, 2024 to the local government of a breakthrough technology called the Mobile Command and Control Vehicle with Triage Technology (MoCCoV).

The event, which was held at the Caloocan Sports Complex, was attended by Caloocan City and DOST officials and personnel led by DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Caloocan City First District Representative Congressman Oscar G. Malapitan, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, DOST-NCR Regional Director Engr. Romelen T. Tresvalles, Caloocan City Administrator Ms. Aurora Ciego, and the MoCCoV technology’s inventor Mr. Dennis Abella.

The MoCCov was one of the DRRM technologies showcased at the 2023 Handa Pilipinas: Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Exposition held in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It is loaded with equipment and technologies for emergency situations during occurrence of natural hazards, and in monitoring response efforts post-disaster.

The MoCCoV’s features include a weather monitoring station, a rescue quadcopter drone, global satellite communication and surveillance equipment, and rescue and medical equipment. It even has a portable boat for rescue operations, a conference room, and can serve as a mobile command center where emergency responders can map out their next plans of action, as well as attend to affected communities. Power outages will not hinder rescue operations either as the MoCCoV is equipped with solar and wind power supply capabilities to ensure uninterrupted operations.

The technology, which is being turned over to LGUs under DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, is also not a “one-size, fits all” model. According to its inventor, the MoCCoV’s specifications are tailored to the needs of each adoptor community.

In his message, Congressman Malapitan said that disaster preparedness is one of his and Mayor Dale Gonzalo R. Malapitan’s top priorities. As a city with over a million in population, they make sure that they have well-trained personnel to handle DRRM activities. With the acquisition of the MoCCoV technology, “mas mapapabuti ang kahandaan at mas mapapabilis and pagtulong sa kababayan.”

Secretary Solidum, for his part, thanked the city for its willingness to use locally developed technologies in its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management initiatives. The DOST Chief noted that local government units have a critical role to play before, during, and after the occurrence of calamities. Disasters, after all, impact people’s lives and hinder economic development. The Secretary emphasized that anticipation is very crucial when it comes to disasters. With the MoCCoV, local governments will be in a better position to respond to calamities, thus resulting in lesser damage to the community, and a faster recovery period. He also expressed the hope that “Sana magamit ninyo (ang MoCCoV) nang tama, maagap, at akma sa inyong disaster management.”

Undersecretary Mabborang, who joins the Secretary nationwide in promoting local technologies, including the turnover of the MoCCoV technology in other regions, likewise underscored the importance of being prepared for calamities, saying that “Sana ay hindi natin magamit ang MoCCoV, pero kung sakali man, at least meron tayong pantugon sa mga kalamidad.”

DOST-NCR RD Tresvalles vowed the agency’s continued support for NCR LGU’s through the provision of science, technology, and innovative interventions, especially in enabling Metro Manila’s cities and municipality to transform into smarter and more sustainable cities and communities.

The City of Caloocan is one of the four cities from NCR included in DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities Program. The transfer of the MoCCoV technology is just one of the initiatives lined up for Caloocan City as DOST-NCR prepares it towards becoming smart through the DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Communities Program through the Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) Program.

By: Pinky Marcelo, SCCU