CEBU CITY – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMOs) in Central Visayas push for the security of tenure and the establishment of a Magna Carta for DRRM workers; inclusion of DRRM workers in the hazard pay scheme, as they face multi-hazard situations and ensure that local government units (LGUs) invest in resources, equipment, and personnel for their DRRM offices.
“The establishment of local DRRMOs in all towns and cities is crucial to ensure that there are no gaps in the knowledge and preparation required for disaster response; actively promote and implement disaster preparedness measures to protect lives and to avoid complacency and maintain a state of readiness at all times,” OCD-7 regional director, Joel Erestain said at the Kapihan sa PIA forum on July 2 in observance of the “National Disaster Resilience Month.”
Erestain said that the term “Kumikilos” is used to stress the need for ongoing, active preparation rather than just passive readiness, noting that while confidence is good, complacency can be detrimental.
Roland Reyes, Head, Danao City DRRM Office and currently the Vice-president of the association of RDRRMOs in Central Visayas, believed that the full implementation of Republic Act 10121 is needed now, more especially important is the establishment of local Disaster Risk Management (DRM) offices in preparing communities for disasters.
“Key points included in RA-10121 is the provision of training and equipment, with 70% of the budget allocated for preparedness and 30% for emergency responses. Local officials in the region are supporting these initiatives, aiming to enhance disaster response capabilities of LGUs,” Reyes said at the Kapihan.
Reyes highlighted the need for secure tenure for DRRM personnel as many are still on job orders. The association advocates for DRRM offices to be recognized as departments, with hazard pay and better resources. The association is described as very pro-active indicating a collaborative approach to disaster risk management in Central Visayas.
“The role of local DRRMs is to prevent disasters and ensure resilience by constantly preparing the community for potential threats, stressing the importance of daily preparedness, asking individuals to consider what they would do in case of an earthquake or typhoon,” Reyes said.
Establishment of the Civil Defense Training Institute
According to OCD-7 regional director Joel Erestain, the OCD is being strengthened with the establishment of a Civil Defense Training Institute (CDTI) to serve as a national training ground for disaster response, with the Incident Command System (ICS) as a crucial management concept for incident response, with various training courses available, ranging from basic to advanced levels, aimed at ensuring the safety of responders and improving disaster management capabilities.
“This would also elevate the of the provincial Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) management office to a department level to strengthen relationships with local DRM committees, LCEs, and other stakeholders, regardless of affiliations,” Erestain noted.
He further explained the importance of the Incident Command System (ICS) in managing incidents and ensuring the safety of responders, describing it as a course rather than just a training program, with different levels of certification.
Basic ICS training lasts three days, while integrated planning and position courses each last five days and the all-hazard course is a comprehensive training program for managing multiple hazards.
“There is always a need for continuous training
and development to improve disaster response capabilities, and the establishment
of the CDTI as a training ground and academy for OCD and local DRRMO personnel,
volunteers and students is the right step to that direction,” Erestain said. (Photos: MBCNewman & OCD7-FB)
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