Saturday, December 21, 2024

Tag: Office of Civil Defense

OCD equips regions with water filtration, communication systems for emergencies

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (August 20, 2024/PIA) — The Office of Civil Defense enhances its disaster preparedness and response capabilities by investing in water filtration systems and reliable communication technologies

According to OCD-10 Director Antonio Sugarol, these initiatives are part of a broader strategy of OCD’s Administrator, Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno, to modernize and equip the organization with the resources necessary to effectively address emergencies.

He said OCD has initially equipped its regional offices with water filtration units, recognizing the critical role of clean water in emergencies.

The regional director also shared plans to acquire additional units similar to those used by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that can rapidly purify contaminated water, providing a vital lifeline to affected communities.

“At the moment, we have two mobile water filtration systems. It is in our office,” he stated.

Sugarol said the OCD has also implemented a regional collaboration policy that allows neighboring regions to share resources during emergencies.

“For example, in Region 10, we can anticipate that Region 9, Region 12, and Region 11 will contribute their mobile water filtration systems to the OCD Region 10,” he explained.

In addition to water filtration, the OCD addresses the equally critical need for reliable communication channels. Sugarol said the recent experience in Misamis Occidental, where cellular networks were disrupted following a shear line, underscored the importance of alternative communication systems.

To augment the communication capabilities of local government units, the OCD is working in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to provide satellite phones and VISAT systems. These technologies will ensure uninterrupted communication during disasters, facilitating coordination between local governments, government agencies, and emergency responders. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA-10)

Empowering Bukidnon: DOST advances innovative tech in DRRM

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY – The Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri’s Office, the Office of Civil Defense, and the provincial government of Bukidnon, organized a comprehensive four-day workshop focused on enhancing the province’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Contingency Plans

To elevate existing local DRRM plans, particularly in tackling threats like landslides, flash floods, and earthquakes, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) convened the four-day contingency planning at Hotel de Susana in Valencia City.

This collaborative effort shall empower Bukidnon’s two cities and 20 municipalities by equipping them to develop or enhance their contingency strategies on DRRM.

These strategies encompass a spectrum of innovative technologies, including data analysis, hazard identification, early warning systems, modeling and simulation, risk assessment, communication and coordination, response planning, and infrastructure resilience. These aspects play a crucial role in crafting effective contingency plans.

“There is no such thing as natural disasters; they are, in fact, natural hazards,” affirmed DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. during a press conference held during the four-day DRRM event in Valencia City.

The event’s prime goal is the upgrading and enhancement of current local DRRM plans, specifically in addressing risks posed by natural hazards.

The Contingency Planning seeks to integrate DOST technologies for application by local government units (LGUs) in risk reduction undertakings such as prevention and mitigation.

Meanwhile, DOST announced the upcoming Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) training this September.

The CDRA is a tool for studying and assessing risks and vulnerabilities of exposed elements associated with natural hazards and climate change. It will be merged into the Comprehensive Land Use Plans of the LGUs.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. holds a press conference, which is part of the four-day DRRM event in Valencia City, emphasizing the science and technology’s crucial roles in creating effective contingency plans such as data collection and analysis, hazard identification, early warning systems, modeling and simulation, risk assessment, communication, resources allocation, training and education, response planning, and infrastructure resilience. (BGE/PIA-Bukidnon)

PH’s 11th ‘Rescue MARCH’ challenge held in Malaybalay

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Marking the 11th Rescue MARCH in the country, 56 rescue teams from all over northern Mindanao converged here on July 31 to cap the National Disaster Resilience Month observance

Rescue MARCH, which stands for Mass Assembly for Rescue and Care for Humanity, is a simulation exercise designed to train the responders to a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that would render access to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, including communications, impossible.

Over 600 participants marched almost seven kilometers from Mt. Moriah Camp, the staging area, to the Capitol Grounds, the “ground zero” simulation area where their teams did rescue operations. These teams were assessed on their capabilities in responding to specific scenarios, testing their endurance and camaraderie at ground zero.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-10 Assistant Regional Director Gilbert Conde reminded the participants that there are no perfect responses to emergencies or disasters, but he hoped such exercises would continue.

“Nakita namo nga naay need nga training nga pagabuhaton. Ang kulang nato is ang venue nga ing-ani nga mag-practice. We will continue training ourselves and our LGUs for us to attain a resilient northern Mindanao [We saw the need to conduct training like this. What we need is a venue like this to practice. We will continue training ourselves and our LGUs for us to attain a resilient Northern Mindanao],” Conde said.

For his part, Martin T. Aguda Jr. of the National Organizing Committee for Rescue MARCH said the Northern Mindanao responders are almost there in terms of being resilient, as he observed that even at the staging area.

“Despite the limited resources, everything was utilized and brought to the simulation area as if they were in a real situation, responding to ground zero,” Aguda said.

On the other hand, Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque explained that natural disasters are certain to happen since nobody can control nature. He, however, emphasized that all must prepare for how to act when natural disasters come.

The Rescue MARCH Northern Mindanao Challenge 2023 was the 11th held in the country. (DCC/PIA-10)

RDRRMC-10 holds DRRM workshop for media, bloggers

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Highlighting the significance of the media in calamity reporting, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Council (RDRRMC)-10, spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), held its one-day training on Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation (DRRM) reporting for media and bloggers at the De Luxe Hotel, July 21

Attended by various media outlets in print, radio, and online, the workshop tackled topics in Weather reporting, the basics of Earthquakes and Landslides, and Health protocols discussed by representatives of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services Agency, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-10, and the Department of Health (DOH)-10, respectively.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-10 Regional Director Antonio B. Sugarol rallied the media to work together to bring disaster resilience to the general public as part of efforts to bridge the gap among stakeholders towards disaster mitigation and response.

“We have this type of activity to maximize our friends in the broadcast and print media as the mouthpiece in bringing to the masses what we are doing regarding DRRM; it requires the participation of our communities in the whole of nation approach towards disaster resilience,” he said.

One of the participants, CDO Dev Blogger Tom Udasco, thanked the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-10 for providing an opportunity for capacitating the media in DRRM knowledge towards a secure and resilient Northern Mindanao. (VPSB/PIA-10)