Civil Defense Institute to bolster disaster resilience

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has inaugurated its center of excellence, aiming to enhance the nation’s disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) capabilities. This initiative, reflected in the recent activation of the Civil Defense and Disaster Management Training Institute, aims to foster a multidisciplinary approach to DRRM by involving various sectors.

At a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, OCD officials united with stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector, uniformed services, and other groups to solidify partnerships essential for the institute’s success.

Institute Director Eugene Gepte emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach: “We need to forge strong partnerships for us to complement each others’ capabilities and resources required by the recurring need to prepare for and respond to disasters.”

Echoing Gepte’s sentiments, Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno acknowledged the stakeholders’ commitment, highlighting the institute’s crucial role in developing the “collective muscle memory, automatic response, and the enhanced preparations needed by our country.”

In line with Republic Act 10121, the institute is responsible for consolidating training materials, conducting research, and updating knowledge and practices in DRRM. It will also provide periodic educational programs for new officials and local DRRM council members.

Despite the absence of National DRRM Council Chair and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., his support was conveyed by Usec. Nepomuceno. Additionally, the institute’s future home, funded by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), will be in Capas, Tarlac.

Reflecting its elevated status from an OCD division to a specialized institution, the institute’s renaming and operational enhancements were implemented to streamline its DRRM training and education.

Upcoming activities include the Humanitarian Operations Workshop (HOW), funded by USAID and the World Food Programme – Philippines. Scheduled for May 2024 in New Clark City, this inter-agency exercise will focus on disaster response interoperability. The institute is also planning a partnership with York University for joint academic and research endeavors in DRRM.