Philippines: Incident command system for effective management of disasters

PIA Press Release

Calamba City - The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD 4A) spearheaded the holding of a three-day live-in seminar for members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and other stakeholders concerning the establishment of an Incident Command System (ICS) for the region which started yesterday at Splash Mountain Resort, Los Banos, Laguna.

OCD 4A regional director Vicente F. Tomazar said the activity is designed to develop a standard response and operational procedures to all types of disasters and complexities as a result of climate change or terrorism.

The formation of an ICS as part of the country’s existing on-scene disaster response system is a provision of the new law (RA10121) that is being implemented, he added.

Meanwhile, the OCD is engrossed in conducting various activities regarding its mandated tasks concerning disaster risk management such as flood drill in flood-prone areas, disaster risk management training for private and government agencies, technical assistance in the formulation of contingency plans and other disaster related plans and studies, civil protection and preparedness, earthquake drills and others.

Another important activity is the risk identification and hazard vulnerability to include critical buildings and other infrastructure particularly those with high-density occupancy and low-lying areas as well in terms of flooding and landslides.

Tomazar emphasized that plans and trainings are undertaken in the areas of disaster preparedness, response, prevention and mitigation including rehabilitation and recovery. (NAC/PIA-Calabarzon)