BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) moves to bolster fire response operations in the region.
The Office of Civil Defense Cordillera (OCD-CAR) which chairs the CRDRRMC, will spearhead a writeshop for the preparation of a Regional Disaster Response Plan (RDRP) for Fire Hazards which will outline the strategies and protocols to ensure a coordinated and efficient response to fire emergencies.
The activity is set on June 5-7, 2024 in Baguio City.
Frankie Cortez of OCD-CAR, in an online meeting of the technical working group on May 23, said the plan to be formulated will encapsulate the harmonized protocols in fire response operations.
We will harmonize, put into the plan the lessons, paghalu-haluin para maging sistema,” Cortez stated.
He presented the concept paper for the preparation of the RDRP, the workshop mechanics for the response cluster workshops, the expected contents of the RDRP, and the calendar of activities.
Cortez added that lessons learned from various fire management operations will be incorporated into the plan to help address the emerging challenges of fire hazards in the Cordillera region.
As of April 2024, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR) recorded total damage cost of over P64.4 million due to forest fires in natural forest, grassland, and plantations.
Cortez mentioned that two clusters will be formulated under the RDRP for Fire Hazards, the Enforcement Cluster to be led by the DENR-CAR, and the Fire Suppression Cluster to be led by the Bureau of Fire Protection
The preparation of the RDRP for Fire Hazards is also anchored on the Cordillera RDRRMC’s commitment to international DRRM and sustainable development frameworks and agreements forged by the Philippines, and the need to align with the new and reinforced framework of the updated National DRRM Plan. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
