To equip provincial government personnel the skills and knowledge in managing disasters, particularly those involving health, the Provincial Health Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) conducted a three-day Basic Incident Command System Training Course at the Honey’s Hotel in the City of Mati, Davao Oriental.
26 participants from the different offices in the provincial government participated in the training course held from March 1-3. The said training served as one of the primary steps to fully establish a functional Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health (DRRM-H).
Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Reden Bersaldo said that ICS is the basic foundation in establishing coordination and response in disasters. Through this training, personnel will be equipped with the knowledge and skills in planning, tactical interventions, and disaster response.
Within three days, the participants undergo activities including Organizing ICS and Managing Incidents and Events, Incident Assessment, Organizing and Managing Resources, Incident Planning, Formulation of Incident Action Plan and Post Exam and Overall Training Evaluation, among others.
The graduates were awarded a certificate of completion certified by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office through the Office of Civil Defense in partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental.
The activity was made possible through the P1 million sub-allotment fund from the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office with support from the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental. Aside from the ISC, the funding will also be focused on other necessary training, development, and updating of the DRRMH Plan, capacity building activities, drills and exercises, promotion and advocacy, and procurement of health emergency management commodities.
The program is anchored in the DOH’s thrust to establish province-wide and city-wide health systems. This aims for effective and efficient preparedness and response activities and ensures delivery of essential population-based health services.
PDRRMO-Operations Center Manager Mr. Francis Jason Bendulo acknowledged the efforts of everyone who participated, stressing that “in times of disaster, no one works alone as it is more manageable if there is coordination and help from everyone to make Davao Oriental a disaster-resilient province.” By Mark Alvite
