The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD-RO7) recently conducted an Incident Command System and Response Readiness orientation to the MHAM School-based Crisis Organization Responding to Emergencies and Disasters (SCORED) members last July 17, 2017 at the MHAM AVR 1.
The MHAM School-based Crisis Organization Responding to Emergencies and Disasters (SCORED) team: (L-R) Jerald Thom Labus-Laboratory Technician, Pedro Pañares-HR Director, Almira Presbitiro-School Librarian, Rita Mae Cempron-School Nurse, Ana Liza Abao-IT/Publications Staff, Riza Joy Hernandez-OCD RO7 Training Officer, Dr. Joseph Al Alesna-DOH RO7 ICS Consultant/MHAM CESO Consultant, Jarvis Prochina-CESO Director, Francisco Bacalla-IT Director, Tommy Redula-Payroll Officer, Roosevelt Diaz-Medical Technologist and Brian Pateña-Security Supervisor
Started at 9:00 in the morning, fifteen SCORED members attended the lecture-orientation on disaster preparedness which was conducted by the OCD-RO7 training officer, Ms. Riza Joy Hernandez.
The MHAM School-based Crisis Organization Responding to Emergencies and Disasters (SCORED) team during the orientation
Having been connected with the OCD for seventeen years now, Hernandez, shared her expertise and know-how on disaster management to the SCORED members who in turn, will take the responsibilities and commitment to whatever disaster or sudden calamitious event that may seriously disrupts the functioning of the community.
OCD-RO7 Training officer-lecturer, Ms. Riza Joy Hernandez…
According to the OCD training officer, one of the factors of panicking during disasters is due to the lack of information dissemination among the people, thus, it is very important to conduct orientations and trainings to the various organizations including periodic drills and exercises. In addition, the role of the response and rescue team plays a vital role in handling every situation in order to lessen and reduce the severity of natural and human-induced disasters. As per planning, the Disaster Management Committee must be composed of several teams such as the First Aid Team, Site Security Team, Fire Safety Team, Evacuation Team, Communications Team and Damage Control Team.
The OCD training officer during the orientation
Moreover, Hernandez also stressed the importance of developing the emergency evacuation plan especially on earthquake risk reduction to ensure a safe place of studies and employment. Although earthquake drills does not give the assurance for survival, it set one’s mind on what proper response during the big one.
Interview with the OCD-RO7 training officer
As the OCD training officer has recapitulated, the Philippines is vulnerable to almost all types of natural hazards because if its geographic location. In particular, MHAM’s location is more likely to experience the top three identified disasters which include fire, typhoon and earthquake.
“This activity is strongly mandated by law to all schools and establishments especially those who are living in high rise buildings to come up with a disaster core group or emergency response team to cater our students in event of an emergency”, said Hernandez in an interview.
She also added that the OCD-RO7 has been very occupied this year to conduct necessary trainings to various institutions and organizations such as life saving and search and rescue trainings. “Should I am invited to come back, my main purpose is to check and implement the plan within the school premises”, she concluded.
The MHAM SCORED members
Created by the MHAM In-house Emergency Reduction and Response Team (IERRT) led by Mr. Jarvis Prochina, the SCORED team as being formed has twenty-two members and are as follows; Dr. Carlito Astillero, Dr. Allan Librando, Dr. Joseph Al Alesna, Mr. Brian Pateña, Mr. Francisco Bacalla, Mr. Pedro Pañares, Mr. Roosevelt Diaz, Mr. Muriel Mercado, Mr. Tommy Redula, Mr. Paulo Alam-alam, Ms. Rita Mae Cempron, Ms. Almira Presbitero, Ms. Annabelle Brigoli, Ms. Clarissa Joanna Delima, Ms. Ana Liza Abao, Mr. Argie Estella, Mr. Benjamin Estrella, Mr. Jerald Thom Labus, Mr. Jonie Garcia, Mr. Louie Lopez and Mr. Ghian Sinda.
Mr. Jarvis Prochina…
Meanwhile, the MHAM IERRT/SCORED team leader, Mr. Jarvis Prochina, expressed his gratitude to all the SCORED members who were present during the orientation. As he leads the newly-created team, he is looking forward to start and implement the various plans and undertakings that will benefit the safety of all MHAM students and employees through specific measures as a preparation to reduce the effects of unpredicted disasters.
“I am glad that amidst time constraint on your respective line of work, your mere presence speaks your commitment with a heart for this noble task. As one team with specific tasks, our commitment matters most in dealing with all the emergencies with preparedness to whatever disaster we may encounter”, said Prochina in his closing remarks.
With Dr. Joseph Al Alesna (seated, left) during the ICS orientation
MHAM CESO Consultant and part time faculty, Dr. Joseph Al Alesna also graced the event as he is also the Consultant of the Department of Health-RO7 in cultivating the culture of disaster preparedness. As one of the committed individuals who pioneered the Incident Command System in the region, Dr. Alesna also handled the Basic Life Support (BLS) seminar to MHAM students.
At present, the MHAM Emergency Action Plan has been drafted already with its core in composing a team with specific tasks. As amended by law, the Executive Order 159, series of 1968 mandates all heads of departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, instrumentalities and political sub-divisions of the government including all corporations owned or controlled by the government, the armed forces, government hospitals and public educational institutions to establish their respective disaster control organization.
The ICS orientation was also timely as MHAM CM is in great preparation to offer BS in Environmental Science major in Disaster Management which will be offered by the academic year 2018, becoming the very first in the Visayas region. (Ana Liza Abao)