The Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMO) said it has retrained its personnel to enhance their skills in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery ahead of the wet season.
According to Charles Bryan Carame, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (LDRRMO), the training focused on equipping participants with the expertise to conduct Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) in disaster-affected areas.
“RDANA skills are crucial for ensuring efficient disaster response and setting the foundation for long-term recovery planning,” Carame emphasized during a media interview.
The training sessions were conducted by instructors from the CDRRMO, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the Department of Health.
These sessions provided participants with tools to quickly assess the disaster situation, including the extent of damage, emerging threats, critical needs of the affected population, and local response capabilities.
Under Republic Act 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the OCD is tasked with institutionalizing RDANA as a standardized tool for disaster response.
This includes creating standard operating procedures for team deployment, fostering inter-agency information sharing, and coordinating efforts at all levels before and after disasters.
In addition to retraining responders, Carame highlighted the ongoing update of the city’s three-year local disaster risk reduction management plan. This update aligns with the national DRRM plan and framework, emphasizing disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and recovery.
The Philippine DRRM Act mandates local government units to regularly update their plans within three-year and six-year cycles.
Carame noted that an updated and approved LDRRM plan is essential for earning recognition under the Seal of Good Local Governance and the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Gawad KALASAG program (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing Ang Kaligtasan).
These efforts underscore Baguio’s commitment to strengthening disaster management and ensuring community safety during the wet season.