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Caption for RD Resty shares Disaster tips3: RD Macuto particularly emphasized helping out and focusing on the vulnerable families below the poverty threshold – “ang mga pamilyang nasa laylayan ng kahirapan”.
Caption for RD Resty shares Disaster tips3: RD Macuto particularly emphasized helping out and focusing on the vulnerable families below the poverty threshold – “ang mga pamilyang nasa laylayan ng kahirapan”.

Palo, Leyte – June 3, 2016.  “Conducting a survey and rapid assessment is vital to responding to an emergency or disaster situation.  It identifies what the particular disaster has done to the disaster-stricken community and indicates what needs to be done in terms of response and rehabilitation”, said DSWD Field Office VIII Regional Director Resty Macuto, as guest of honor at the closing ceremonies of the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) Training and Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Orientation held at the Tierra de Milagrosa Resort, this municipality.

In his speech, RD Macuto showed how coordination, cooperation, and proper communication is important for an effective disaster response. He cited the composition of the Response Cluster chaired by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), with DSWD as Vice-Chair and DepEd, DOH, OCD, DILG as members.

RD Macuto also inspired the ‘graduates’ and gave some tips on disaster preparedness.  “Talk about family

RD Macuto particularly emphasized helping out and focusing on the vulnerable families below the poverty threshold – “ang mga pamilyang nasa laylayan ng kahirapan”.
RD Macuto particularly emphasized helping out and focusing on the vulnerable families below the poverty threshold – “ang mga pamilyang nasa laylayan ng kahirapan”.

preparedness during dinner”, he said, and quoted: “Teach the children:  ang maliit na basura ibulsa muna, malaking basura, ilagay sa malaking basurahan.” (Place small garbage in pockets, while bigger garbage in big trash bins.)

RD Macuto particularly emphasized helping out and focusing on the vulnerable families below the poverty threshold – “ang mga pamilyang nasa laylayan ng kahirapan”.   He further urged the participants of the RDANA and PDRA trainings to start sharing whatever teachings they have with people in their municipality. “Take advantage of the freshness of the learnings, so that knowledge absorbed will not be forgotten”, he further told them.

Macuto went on to say that he has learned from PAG-ASA that there will be four typhoons to enter the country.  He added that with the trainings, the whole of Region VIII is ready for whatever will come.

Forty-three participants from all over the Province of Leyte — Municipal Social Welfare Develop-ment Officers (MSWDOs), Provincial/City/ Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers (P/C/MDRRMOs), and representatives from LGUs — attended the said five-day training activity.

Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer (MSWDO) Alma Permejo of Julita Leyte remarked that she enjoyed the simulation activity regarding the conduct of RDANA.  “All in all, the training was an eye-opener.  It was very helpful.  The hows and whens of RDANA and PDRA became clearer to me.  Coordination is very important”, concluded MSWDO Permejo.

Participant Gerardo Imperial remarked that this was something he had been doing in the field, but during this five-day workshop, he particularly learned that time is of the essence,  progress should be reported to head office fast, dates should be accurate, too, as all these information will help everyone to be ready.  Julita Lao, another participant was thankful for the training as it was very timely.  She was also grateful for their mentors who deepened her understanding and made grey areas clearer.

RD Macuto also inspired the ‘graduates’ and gave some tips on disaster preparedness. “Talk about family preparedness during dinner”, he said, and quoted: “Teach the children: ang maliit na basura ibulsa muna, malaking basura, ilagay sa malaking basurahan.” (Place small garbage in pockets, while bigger garbage in big trash bins.)
RD Macuto also inspired the ‘graduates’ and gave some tips on disaster preparedness. “Talk about family preparedness during dinner”, he said, and quoted: “Teach the children: ang maliit na basura ibulsa muna, malaking basura, ilagay sa malaking basurahan.” (Place small garbage in pockets, while bigger garbage in big trash bins.)

Planning Officer and trainer of OCD Region IV-B’s Neri Amparo told everyone that she was happy because her training expectations were met.  She then advised everyone to “bring to the local chief executives whatever they have learned in the training, as modifications, advice and recommendations for RDANA and PDRA will be expected of them”.  She, however, added that she wished and prayed that the RDANA team won’t be activated soon, and that no big disaster will strike the region or the country as we have already entered the rainy season.

The Office of Civil Defense Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Rey Gozon stated that the trainees were very participative and were willing to learn more.  ARD Gozon wishes to thank the local chief executives for sending participants to this capacity building seminar.  “We will continue to conduct this RDANA and PDRA in high-risk provinces in the region, namely Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Southern Leyte.

OCD’s Planning Officers Neri Amparo and Mark Victore of Region IV-B and Capacity Development Officer Melanie Gel Gamat of Region X were the trainers of the activity.