OCD-ARMM kicks off Disaster Consciousness Mo.

READINESS --- OCD-ARMM Officer In-Charge Ms. Myrna Angot explains to media partners the importance of Disaster Consciousness Training for LGUs and different line-agencies as responders. With her is 6th ID Chief of Staff Col. Bernie S. Langub, who is also the Division Training School commander.  (Anne B. Acosta)

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao (July 2, 2016) --- The Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD), the Secretariat of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the ARMM, held a kick-off ceremony for the region’s activities on the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) last July 1 at the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division Training School (DTS).

Attended by various government agencies and other organizations, the activity was spearheaded by OCD-ARMM Officer-in-Charge Myrna Angot together with 6th ID Chief of Staff and at the same time DTS Commander Col. Bernie S. Langub.

After a short program and prayer offering, the event formally opened with a press conference  followed by the “Showcasing of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Equipment”  at the DTS, where members of the media had a glimpse of the capabilities of responders come any disaster.

Various personalities who took part during the opening of the NDCM 2016 included the four pillars under the DRRM Thematic Areas:  the Department of the Interior and Local Government-ARMM Focal Person Mauricio Civiles, Department of Science and Technology-ARMM Focal Person Jimmy Hedesin, Department of Social Welfare and Development-ARMM Representative Abie Ayao, and Regional Planning and Development Office-ARMM Focal Person Palawan Mamaon.

Other partner line-agency representatives present were Bureau of Fire Protection-ARMM Regional Director Superintendent Adam Ali Guiamad, 6th ID DRO Col. Gerardo Cap-atan, 6 CMO Bn Commander Col. Noman Alcovindas, PAGASA Cotabato Chief Charlyn Jamero, and PRO-ARMM RPCRD P/Senior Superintendent John Roderick A. Morales.

Angot said the disaster risk reduction is vital for the building a more equitable and sustainable future.

“In fact, it is a must that we make serious investments in prevention and preparedness, including our various drills for it is a contributor to the systematic efforts aimed at increasing disaster resilience,” said Angot.

Leo Alicas, DRRM division chief, said the responsibility for disaster risk management does not lie solely with disaster managers. “This is a concern of everybody and it should come down from the grassroots. We must be empowered to make decisions which reduce risk into various platforms. For one thing, the country has a comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management law since the birth of R.A. 10121.”

Alicias added that the DRRM putting into practice may appear to be complicated task for others, but he said there are basic steps to break and generate effective approaches in reducing risks.

“Concerned government line-agencies are now focusing on local needs, such as capacity building which is cost effective. With increased capacity, local government units can find support from their community for disaster risk reduction program,” said Alicias.

Col. Langub, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of water search and rescue training as one of the priority programs under the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.

“It is very significant that we have a pool of responders who are well trained and that we are also well equipped when it comes to the DRR. Right now, you have witnessed how prepared we are,” said Langub, adding its importance “so we could lessen the threats on rescuers when rescuing victims or people during incidents.”

“They will be more aware on how to find hazards, and at the same time learn the mechanisms on personal safety and survival and basic lifesaving. We would want to strengthen the capacities of our rescue teams in the ARMM,” said Langub.

The NDCM-related activities for the ARMM include the Medical First Responders (MFR) Training, Media Forum on DRRM, Poster Making Contest, 2nd Quarter National Simulation Earthquake Drill (NSED), Flood Drill for Sultan Kudarat, Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Training for the Mainland Provinces, Contingency Planning Formulation Workshop (CPFW) for Lanao del Sur, DRRM Government Orientation for Regional Agencies, Multi-Hazard Simulation Exercise, and the Gawad Kalasag 2016 Desk Evaluation.

Earlier, Angot encouraged various government line-agencies in the ARMM to hang on with their respective tarpaulins in observance of the Disaster Consciousness Month.

The NDCM 2016 theme is: "Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa." (Gilmhar A. Lao, OCD-ARMM Information Officer)

DEMO SAMPLING --- A member of the Cotabato “City-based media, Anthony Henilo of Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation, is on the go for the seat hip rappelling demonstration at the 6th ID Division Training School in Barangay Simba, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat ,Maguindanao.  The demonstration is part of the month-long celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month 2016. Related story on page 8.  (Anne B. Acosta)