BAGUIO CITY – The Summer Capital is now more prepared in times of earthquake disaster because of the development of emergency response protocol.
From March 17 to 19, the University of the Philippines Baguio Cordillera Studies Center (CSC) through its Knowledge and Training Resource Center (KTRC) held a workshop in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense–Cordillera Administrative Region, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the City Government of Baguio.
The activity gathered local volunteer groups who, through the years, have been tapped to respond to emergency situations in the city and its neighboring localities. The workshop was aimed to formulate a city-wide accreditation guideline for emergency responders, establish an earthquake response plan, and sign a commitment to adhere to these protocols.
On the workshop’s last day, participants consolidated a draft of the accreditation guidelines for the community disaster volunteers (CDV). The draft included criteria on qualifying CDV and contained the benefits CDVs will get, and the pointers of disqualification in terms of misconduct in service.
According to Christopher Teoxon, research and planning officer of Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), the accreditation guideline that was started to be put into a draft is the first in Baguio City. In the past, the city did not have a standard system for accrediting CDVs. There was also no national standards on CDV accreditation until present, he said.
CDRRMC sees the need to formulate an accreditation guideline in order to have a more efficient emergency response. It will result to a better link up between CDRRMC, volunteers, and other government agencies, who share same standard objectives and aims.
“Hindi natinalamkungkailandaratingang disaster so magformulatenatayopara by that time namaglalabasnayung national ng standard accreditation, we will follow na.Irerealignnalangnatinparaparehas with national,” Teoxon said.
The draft of the accreditation guideline still needs to be reviewed for revisions, and will have to be approved by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan before it will be implemented, said Teoxon.
With the initiated standard operating procedure on the CDV accreditation system, Teoxon said that there is no excuse for an inefficient emergency response.
CDRRMC is also studying the organization of the system of getting the privileges of the volunteers.
The Proposed Baguio City Earthquake Response Committee Clusters’ Declaration of Commitment was also signed by the different stakeholders. It contains the agreement to fulfill tasks and responsibilities stated in the proposed Baguio City response plan and to observe the following standards in the response: prompt assumption of functions; timely augmentation and mobilization; upholding of the operational set of rules; and adherence to the succession of commands.
By Pryce E. Quintos with Aletheia Paludipan and KreenaLabay, PIA/Intern
