BACOLOD City – The city government of Bago in Negros Occidental, through its Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO), held a four-day Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) training from November 25 to 28.
The training, in collaboration with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6, wa participated by 38 personnel from various city hall offices including City DDRMO, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Environment Management Office (CEMO), City Engineer’s Office (CEO), Office of the City Agriculturist, Office for the Veterinary Services, City Health Office, and barangay DRRM councils of Ilijan, Mailum, Bacong, and Binubuhan.
Dr. Merijene Ortizo, Bago CDRRMO head, said the simulation exercise gathered city hall personnel who are involved in disaster response to further equip them with knowledge and skills especially on rapid damage assessment and needs analysis.
Ortizo said this will also enable participants to address the immediate needs of the community and to come up with reports should the city need the assistance of other government agencies.
“This is already the third batch of participants for the [RDANA] training and we recognize the need to continue this as there are new employees who need to be equipped with knowledge and skills,” she added.
Ortizo pointed out that during the recent volcanic activities at the Mt. Kanlaon and flooding in the city, they saw a “gap” as there are deployed personnel who need to be trained for RDANA.
“We are addressing this gap,” Ortizo said, as she expressed optimism that the RDANA training will further boost the city’s overall disaster response.
Aside from the simulation exercise, the training also included series of lectures.
Joining the group of instructors were former provincial fire marshal, Fire Senior Superintendent Arnold Alba, and Jessle Joy Perales of OCD-6./PN
