DA-10 strengthens emergency and disaster response through Basic ICS training

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen its emergency and disaster response capabilities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10), through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Program, capacitated its personnel and partner agencies through a Basic Incident Command System (ICS) Training on September 3-4, here.

It aimed to bolster participants’ understanding and application of the ICS, particularly in incident assessment, resource management, operational briefings, and the development of an Incident Action Plan (IAP). Trainers from the Office of Civil Defense – 10 facilitated the training.

To reinforce these learnings, participants applied their knowledge through exercises and a return demonstration on conducting an operational period briefing. The course also tackled the proper transfer of command, demobilization, and incident closeout, equipping participants with practical skills to ensure continuity, coordination, and efficient resource utilization during emergencies and disasters.

More importantly, the training supports the effective management of disasters affecting agricultural production, fisheries, farm-to-market roads, livelihoods, and food security through rapid assessment, coordinated response, efficient resource utilization, and the timely delivery of assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk.

Senior Agriculturist Gay Nanette R. Aleria, DRRM alternate focal person, emphasized the importance of the training, noting that DA-10 personnel, including the DRRM staff and provincial operations centers across the region, are regularly involved in major events and activities involving farmers.

“Learning the various protocols for responders in all adverse situations [is] of great help [as this makes one] more capable and ready to face whatever circumstances,” Aleria said.

The training forms part of DA-10’s commitment to building a capable and prepared workforce that can support coordinated incident management and emergency and disaster response, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and ensure timely and effective assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, particularly during emergencies and disasters besetting the agriculture sector. # (NQA)