With the theme, “Sambayanang Pilipino, Nagkakaisa tungo sa Katatagan at Maunlad na Kinabukasan”, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, together with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), hosted this year’s Regional Kickoff Ceremony of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) 2022.
“Our celebration of the NDRM is part of building capacity for people to be aware of the disasters. All DRRM Plan should be rehearsed within the community of people especially those living on hazard-prone areas. We should teach them how to be alert. LGUs should have their own capacity to respond to any kind of disaster. Everybody must be aware of the disasters. Responders and frontliners should be equipped with proper trainings. These are the things that we need to do in order to have a resilient community,” shared Office of Civil Defense 5 Regional Director Claudio Yucot.
With the aim to promote and build resilience among different stakeholders in all disasters, the NDRM highlights activities covering the four thematic areas of disaster, namely, disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and disaster rehabilitation and recovery.
The NDRM celebration was officially kicked-off with a Rescue M.A.R.C.H. (Mass Assembly for Rescue and Care for Humanity), a 13.7 km walk which started from Basilica Minore, passed through Metro Naga, and ended at the Provincial Capitol Complex. The activity is a simulation exercise of an emergency response scenario to the projected “The Big One” or the Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake where rescuers will have to travel on foot with their equipment to respond to a total breakdown of infrastructures.
A total of 62 teams of responders from different member-agencies of PDRRMC and different C/MDRRMOs participated in the event. Each team of responders showed their expertise in performing the different scenarios during the Rescue MARCH including 2-Man Carry, Mogadishu Walk, and Trail Walk.
“It was tiring but worth it! At least, in case it happens in reality where transportations are inaccessible and roads are impassable, we have the capacity to endure and survive the disasters. Our team showed good practices like teamwork and discipline during the march,” shared Jomil Ramos, Operation Head of MDRRMO Minalabac.
Ramos added, “In normal operations, our team responds to all kinds of disasters. For example, before the occurrence of typhoon, we always prepare everything that is needed to rescue and respond to a disaster. Also, when the Big One happens, I think that Team Minalabac has the capacity to extend help because we have the manpower and we are equipped with all the necessary trainings.”
Fatima Ann Cea, Ground Commander of Gryphon Fire Volunteer and Rescue-Naga City Chapter, and another participant of the Rescue MARCH, shared, “Our main goal is to be one with other responders because, as volunteers, we want to involve ourselves in serving the community. Every month, we conduct Membership training and Refreshment training in which we practice BLS, standard first-aiding, high angle rescue, WASAR, rappelling, among others. And I’m proud to say that we put all those things into action during the Rescue MARCH.”
“It is actually my first time to witness a public servant that really focuses on the disaster resiliency of his community. So, I am very thankful to Governor Luigi Villafuerte for taking this initiative to create programs that serve as platform for us, responders, to learn more, build connections with other responders, and become more ready in responding to calamities,” added Cea.
Governor Luigi Villafuerte graced the opening of NDRM and pledged his commitment to disaster response and preparedness. He shared, “As we continue to prepare and take action in every disaster, I will be with you in every step of the way. I commit myself to you and to your heads of office all forms of help to make your services and lives easier and way better. The Provincial Government is committed to leading the strategic preparations and timely response whenever and wherever we are needed. The responsibility is ours, and if we take action, hand-in-hand, I believe that we are stronger and more resilient.”
Other activities that are aligned during the month-long celebration include the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Fellowship Games, All Hazard Incident Management Team (IMT) Training or the 4th ladderized course of Incident Command System (ICS), 45-day Provincial Responders Training Course, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Summit, Formulation of the Provincial DRRM Plan for year 2023-2030, and the Provincial Simulation Exercise Activity which include Water Search and Rescue (WASAR), Collapsed Structures, Rope Rescue, and Fire Fighting.
With the tagline, “CamSur is Ready,” the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur has been consistent in its DRRM efforts to respond to all kinds of disasters. Disaster preparedness-related activities are conducted in all parts of the province to strengthen the PDRRMC and its member-agencies, to train responders on Incident Command System, and to test and upgrade the capabilities of the province’s local counterparts.
Celebrated every month of July, the National Disaster Resilience Month, formerly known as National Consciousness Month, is geared towards developing a culture of disaster resilience, not only for DRRM responders, but for all Filipino people.
