The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office National Capital Region (DSWD FO NCR) Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) held its seven batches of Regional Quick Response Team Orientation on Disaster Response Operations cum Team Building and Staff Development from June 28 to August 26, 2022, at the BSA Twin Towers Hotel in Mandaluyong City.
Sixty (60) permanent and cost-of-service employees for each of the seven (7) groups named after each day of the week managed by Social Welfare Officers as Team Leaders were the target participants during the activity.
Each batch attended a four-day session designed to educate participants on new disaster risk reduction and management laws, regulations, and trends. This was also a platform for team members to develop their connections to facilitate smoother operations in case of disasters or other unforeseen crises.
The orientation covers the following topics: Module 1. Understanding the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, Module 2. The Quick Response Team (QRT) its compositions and functions, deployment procedures, and components of deployment, Module 3. Areas for Deployment, and Module 4. DSWD-NCR Contingency Plans. A simulation exercise through table-top discussions was also conducted to evaluate the learning and test the capacity and skill of each participant in disaster response operations.
DRMD staffs led by Mr. Bienvenido Jr V. Barbosa, Office-in-charge, Division Chief, Mr. Jonathan San Agustin, Officer-in-charge, Head Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Section, Ms. Norjanizah Airah R. Calaca, Project Development Officer III, Mr. John Jasper Forbes, Social Welfare Office II, and Ms. Nenie Savella, Social Welfare Office II discussed the aforementioned topics.
The DSWD FO NCR then Regional Director, Dir. Ferdinand Lazaro D. Budeng (during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th batches) and its current Regional Director, Dir. Monina Josefina H. Romualdez (during the 5th, 6th, and 7th batches) warmly welcomed the participants by extending greetings and wishing them success.
Dir. Romualdez said, “It has been a long time since the orientation for QRTs was first conducted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the agency’s activities have also stalled because we need to adhere to health protocols to prevent the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus. As we approach the new normal, our agency is once again conducting some training or orientations so that each DSWD NCR staff can improve their skills, abilities, and knowledge so we can provide prompt and competent service.”
The Reason behind…
The Philippines is one of the most hazard-prone countries in the world due to its terrain and climate. Its location resulted in several disasters including typhoons, floods, El Nino drought, and volcanic eruptions. In addition, man-made disasters such as armed conflicts and fires occur throughout the country. As a result, Filipinos are more vulnerable.
In 2010, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Law was passed. According to this statute, the DSWD is responsible for acting as vice-chair in response and as a member agency in preventative and mitigation, preparedness, and recovery and rehabilitation pillars in relation to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).
To meet this mandate, DSWD FO NCR has been developing programs and services to improve its disaster preparedness and response system. One of these initiatives is the establishment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and their deployment to disaster-affected areas. Therefore, there is a need to equip the members of the QRTs with new laws and policies on disaster response to guide and capacitate them during actual operations.
The Regional Quick Response Team (QRT) Orientation on Disaster Response Operations cum Team-Building and Staff Development is also in compliance with the Department’s Organizational Outcome 3, which emphasizes the Department’s vital role in addressing the urgent needs of individuals, families, and communities affected by human-induced and natural disasters.
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The Disaster Response Management Division is tasked to immediately act and respond to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management-related concerns. The office of the Disaster Response Management Division is located at Room 109, Ground Floor, Field Office-NCR. ###