CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- In this year’s observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) with the theme “Sama-samang Pagsulong Tungo sa Katatagan sa Gitna ng Bagong Normal," the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Central Luzon led by Director Maria Theresa R. Escolano, chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)-Central Luzon, conducted a virtual learning session for Central Luzon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (DRRMOs) recently.
Together with the OCD-Central Luzon division/section chiefs, Escolano imparted key DRRM concepts and shared knowledge resources for newly installed/designated DRRMOs. The team reoriented the DRRMOs on the key programs of OCD, and their roles as DRRM partners. They also shared DRRM learning experience/best practices and ways on how to strengthen partnership and coordination among DRRMOs in Central Luzon.
Escolano gratefully thanked all the Central Luzon DRRMOs for the untiring effort and sacrifices rendered in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. She encouraged all DRRMOs to remain united and resilient in the face of disaster. She stated that OCD is always open to provide technical assistance in light of the "New Normal".
Edhel Talplacido, newly designated DRRM officer of San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, expressed her gratitude to the OCD-Central Luzon team for this learning initiative stating that this has provided her the knowledge and information necessary to perform her task.
Felicisima Mungcal, PDRRMO of Bulacan and president of the DRRMO Association of Central Luzon, Inc., lauded the OCD-Central Luzon as “the activity was a way for DRRM Officers to be reoriented on their mandates”. She also looks forward to more activities that will enhance the competencies of DRRMOs and strengthen partnerships.
Executive Order Number 29 signed on June 28, 2017, mandates the observance of NDRM "throughout the country through the conduct of activities relative to the building of disaster resilience covering the four thematic areas: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation and recovery."
According to Director Escolano, the learning session is only one of the activities lined up for this year’s observance of NDRM. She added that the OCD launched the "Resilience Challenge 2020," which includes a Spoken Poetry competition and a video challenge on social media, with the following themes: “What’s inside your Go-Bag?”, “Dress up your Personal Protective Gear/Equipment”, “Do your Duck, Cover, and Hold Technique”, and Show your Covid-19 Risk Mitigation measures”. A town hall meeting will also be conducted on July 29, 2020, to provide a platform for the continuous education of stakeholders on various civil defense and DRRM policies and to further increase public awareness on disaster resilience. (PR)