Disaster training prepares Northern Luzon disaster response stakeholders

BAGUIO CITY (January 28, 2025) -- The Ilocos Norte provincial government recently hosted community-based training for trainers -- Agents for Risk and Damage Management (AGRIDAM)-- at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City seeking to

 strengthen community resilience and equip stakeholders with critical disaster response skills.

The Office of the Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spearheaded the training designed to enhance the disaster preparedness skills of 1,800 barangay officials and civic volunteers from 45 towns across Region I, II, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Barangay officials and civic volunteers completed the 5-day training program aimed at upskilling local officials in disaster and risk reduction management.

Workshops on emergency response coordination, disaster risk reduction planning, first aid and rescue operations, and community-based early warning systems sharpened their disaster response skills. 

The training also emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in disaster management to ensure a swift and effective response to natural calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, and flooding.

Host province Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc remarked, “We support all barangay workers, and please remember that what you are doing matters. That is why you should be equipped, rewarded, and capacitated in every way. There are lives in your hands kaya it is imperative to be truly prepared. We thank you, our barangay personnel and first responders, and rest assured that you will always be welcome in Ilocos Norte.”

OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, delivering President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr’s message read: “Adhering to the principle of a whole-of-society approach, let us further strengthen our collaborative efforts to achieve our common goal of a truly disaster-resilient community. With every step we take, we ensure that our region remains strong and prepared for whatever challenges the future may bring.”

According to the Ilocos Norte Information Office, the AGRIDAM Disaster Preparedness Training is also aligned with Marcos Manotoc and the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of disaster resilience across the northern province.  By equipping barangay officials and personnel with essential skills and knowledge to effectively manage and mitigate risks, more proactive and coordinated response within their respective communities is ensured.