Gov. Bulut Jr. highlight importance of preparedness, leads Apayao leaders in regional disaster management training

Luna, Apayao - Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr., during the Incident Command System Executive Course for the Local Chief Executives held in Baguio City, emphasized the importance of trainings and courses in the mitigation and management of disasters and emergencies.

In order to manage disasters more effectively and save lives, Gov. Bulut Jr. mentioned that “stronger leadership and more modern capabilities are necessary,” adding the course is beneficial, particularly for a province that experiences emergencies on a regular basis.

Some 38 participants, including 17 members of the various Local DRRM Councils in the region and 19 Local Chief Executives, completed the program held on August 1-2, 2024 provided by the Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR) through its Capacity Building and Training Section.

Meantime, Regional Director of OCD-CAR and Chairperson of the Cordillera RDRRMC Dir. Albert A. Mogol who graced the training, underscored the crucial role of the Incident Command System and how it works.

The ICS is one of the OCD’s main programs, where the use of ICS has been formalized as an on-scene disaster response tool of LGUs through a number of NDRRMC issuances.

Related to the adoption of RA 10121, also referred to as the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010, the Philippine government institutionalized a number of processes in an effort to manage the results of disasters and lower their risks. The incident command system (ICS) is one of these.

A very important feature of this law is its call for the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction in physical and land-use planning, budget, infrastructure, education, health, environment, housing, and other sectors.

With the training, Gov. Bulut hopes leaders in the region, especially in Apayao will be better equipped with ICS knowledge which they can utilize to further improve their disaster responses.