BONTOC, Mountain Province – To further enhance the skills of emergency responders and to increase effectiveness and minimize slip-ups during emergency operations here in the province, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council conducted a three-day Basic Incident Command System (ICS) Training at Ridgebrooke Hotel and Restaurant on September 20-22, 2016.
ICS is a standardized on-site management system designed to enable effective, efficient incident management by integrating a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure.
Highly trained resource persons from the Office of Civil Defense -Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR) were invited. Led by Assistant Regional Director Engr. Jose Ignacio Valera, the speakers lectured not only on the importance of having an ICS during calamities or emergencies but also on the concepts of ICS – its different hazard incidents management that can be adopted by all DRRMCs member agencies and response teams.
Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. expressed his gratitude for the training opportunity given to the province. “Through this training, capability on DRMM are enhanced. There is no better armour against any eventuality than being prepared. This training will further enhance our disaster preparedness as we strive for a disaster resilient Mountain Province,” he remarked.
According to LDRRMO V Edward F. Chumawar, Jr., the training was designed to synchronize standard response and operational procedures to reduce problems and potential miscommunication in times of emergency.
The three-day training comprised classroom lectures and actual simulation exercises in managing response team during search and rescue retrieval.
During the closing program, the Cordillera RDRRMC Regional Director and concurrent OCD-CAR Chairperson Andrew Alex H. Uy lauded the participants’ commitment during the training. He further challenged them on how to appreciate the training attended.
“To appreciate this training, apply it even in small incidents and planned events, this way, it will be escalated to our leaders that there is a better system to be used during incidents. Commit yourselves to further elevate the preparedness of all LGUs,” Uysaid.
Uy also asked everyone to support the programs of DRRMs, as well as the leadership of LGUs and the leadership of Atty. Chumawaras the PDRRMO of the province.
“Empower them, give them capacity and believe in their leadership. We can only prepare our community if we are unified, synchronized and synergized,” he said.
The ICS training is in pursuance to Republic Act 10121, (An approach in strengthening disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines) and Executive Order no. 82, (Operationalizing the practical guide for national crisis managers and the national crisis management core manual; establishing national and local crisis management organization; and providing funds therefor).
By Laycha K. Marra
