CEBU City—The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMOs) in Central Visayas are pushing for significant reforms in their areas of jurisdiction, citing hazards in the performance of duties by their respective personnel.
The two agencies were eyeing 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 employees for the 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,” said OCD-7 regional director Joel Erestain at the Kapihan sa PIA forum on Wednesday in observance of the “National Disaster Resilience Month.”
Erestain said the term “Kumikilos” is used to stress the need for ongoing, active preparation rather than just passive readiness, adding that “while confidence is good, complacency can be detrimental.”
Roland Reyes, head of the Danao City DRRM Office and vice-president of the association of RDRRMOs in Central Visayas, believed that the full implementation of Republic Act 10121 was imperative, along with 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 percent of the budget allocated for preparedness and 30 percent for emergency responses.
Local officials in the region support these initiatives, aiming to enhance disaster response capabilities of LGUs,” Reyes said at the forum.
He also highlighted the need for security of tenure for DRRM personnel as many were still on job order status.
The association wants DRRM offices to be recognized as departments, with hazard pay and better resources. The group is seen 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.
According to Erestain, the OCD was 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.
Erestain added that the Training Institute ensures that all OCD personnel and members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) undergo the Incident Command System (ICS) training, including the basic, integrated planning, position-specific, and all-hazards courses.
He 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.
