GENERAL SANTOS CITY (March 7, 2023) - Some employees and department heads of the Provincial Capitol took a three-day basic Incident Command System (ICS) training course conducted by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) XII on February 27 to March 1 at Sun City Suites, General Santos City.

The training was in line with the implementation of the ICS under the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which focuses on a proactive approach to minimize the risks of calamities not just for the victims but also for the responders.

The training also targets to make every individual "disaster-ready" by expounding important information on how to respond properly in every incident and what to do in times of major disasters like earthquakes, flooding, landslides, and other calamities.

OCD chief for Capacity Building and Training Section Sheila Hallig who opened the training said they train government staff and employees to help them become "force multipliers" in times of need.

"We want to educate these people for them to use this tool in managing emergencies and incidents para kapag may pangangailangan, mas marami na tayong nakakaalam," she said.

Topics comprising the training included the key principles of ICS, composition, functions of each officer, and the purpose of ICS facilities.

Among those who participated in the training were Provincial Information Officer Joana Grace Banting-Lapore, Provincial Treasurer Eliza Cania, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Bernard Cababat, John Oliver Tablazon of the Local Youth Development Unit, Robinson Rivera of the Provincial Budget Office, Melanie Gay Diaz of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and Jemel Panal from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

Photos by Mosler Paul Lapore