SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) has recently conducted a seminar-workshop on records recovery and disaster preparedness for records custodians in government offices and state colleges and universities in the Ilocos region.
The workshop, conducted via video conferencing, equipped participants with the knowledge and skills to protect and preserve vital public records during disasters.
The primary goal is to ensure that an organization can resume its operations before and after the occurrence of a disaster.
NAP Executive Director Victorino Mapa Manalo emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness for institutions.
“The workshop focused on teaching participants how to plan, organize, and react appropriately before, during, and after a disaster strikes,” he said.
Over 100 records officers and custodians from national government offices, state colleges/universities, local government units, and even select private archives participated in the event.
Many participants came from areas affected by Super Typhoon Egay that hit the region in July 2023.
The workshop identified potential threats posed by emergencies and disasters and discussed techniques and procedures on how to develop disaster preparedness plans, how to do risk and damage assessment, prioritizing salvage efforts, and implementing salvage techniques; safety during disasters, among others.
This interactive format allowed participants to explore issues, share experiences, and ask clarifying questions.
Key topics included fundamentals of emergency planning and disaster preparedness; disaster management phases: prevention, preparation, response, and recovery; and an overview of archival preservation at NAP, covering preservation, conservation, and restoration of records.
By equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to protect their records, NAP is empowering institutions in Region 1 to build resilience against future disasters.
The recovered and preserved records will ensure the continuity of government operations and safeguard valuable historical documents for future generations. (JCR/AMB/PIA Region 1)
