TUBA, Benguet – The Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera continues to empower its local counterparts and stakeholders by conducting capacity building programs that help in mitigating and preparing them for responding to and recovering from the impacts of disasters and other emergency situations.
From October 10 to 14, 2016, the OCD-CAR held a Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training of Trainers (CBDRRM-ToT) at Riverview Water Park Resort here. The course aimed to train instructors-to-be on the conduct of community-based disaster preparedness activities.
Participants from local DRRM offices and member agencies of the Cordillera Regional DRRM Council were taught about establishing and institutionalizing protocols and early warning systems, information dissemination, mobilization of response teams, and creating community awareness and response before, during and after disasters.
OCD-CAR Dir. Andrew Alex Uy hopes that after the five-day training, participants will be able to fully roll out the CBDRRM in their respective areas of responsibility. “This pool of trainers will help us increase the capacity of Cordillera communities in managing their own resources to prepare for hazards and respond to disasters.
We envision barangays to proactively act on their own in addressing the risks in their localities” he added.
“It is good that they involved us, the education sector. It will now be easier for us to help empower communities where our schools are located” said Ms. Nerissa Barbosa, DRRM coordinator of DepEd Benguet Division.
More than 40 local DRRM officers, volunteers, and DRRM coordinators from different government agencies will become trainers for the said course as OCD-CAR plans to conduct more CBDRRM training next year.
By Franzes Ivy Carasi
