DFA Holds Disaster Resilience Activity for Administrative Officers in Observance of National Disaster Resilience Month

MANILA 20 July 2023 — In line with National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum N. 042 s. 2023 directing government agencies to observe National Disaster Resilience Month, the Department of Foreign Affair through the joint effort of its Department Legislative Liaison Unit (DLLU) and Office of Civilian Security (OCS) hosted a Disaster Resilience Activity for Administrative Officers on 17 July 2023.

Using this year’s theme of “BIDAng Pilipino: Building a Stronger Filipino Well-Being towards Disaster Resilience,” the Administrative Officers received briefings from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) with Engr. Juanito S. Galang, the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) with Ms. Romina B. Marasigan, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) with Geologist Jeffrey S. Perez, and University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) Executive Director Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay.

The speakers shared their expertise on topics covering Tropical Cyclone and Rainfall Warning System/El Nino Phenomenon, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction System, Volcanic and Earthquake Hazards, and Understanding Hazards and Probabilistic Risk Assessment, respectively.

The Activity was capped by playing “Sakunwari”, a board game developed by the UPRI, wherein players dealt with multiple disaster scenarios with the end goal being to survive and develop as a locality.

Through this activity, the Department aims to boost the knowledge of the participants on disaster prevention and mitigation and disaster preparedness. DFA is cultivating personnel in proactively developing resilience against natural disasters, including when they are posted abroad, in order to better assist overseas Filipinos. END

(Photos courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

(Photo courtesy of DLLU)