By Rowena T. Cruz Representatives from various local government departments and partner agencies participate in a four-day training on Camp ...
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| Representatives from various local government departments and partner agencies participate in a four-day training on Camp Coordination, Camp Management, and Internally Displaced Persons Protection in Quezon City. (Gumaca PIO) |
GUMACA, Quezon – Through a rigorous four-day training program, the local government of Gumaca solidified its strategy for responding to future crises, putting the ability of its Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) team to the test. The training, held from August 26-29, 2025, at the Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood, included a simulation exercise where actors portrayed Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The simulation provided the CCCM team with hands-on experience in managing scenarios involving a large influx of displaced persons. This exercise was designed to test the team's preparedness and evaluate their on-the-spot interventions. The actors, portraying displaced people, created a realistic and overwhelming situation that required the team to immediately apply their crisis management skills.
This exercise offered a realistic setting for the CCCM team to practice essential skills like crowd control, communication, and resource allocation. It highlighted the importance of effective coordination and swift decision-making in high-pressure situations. The training also aimed to enhance the team’s capability to manage future crises, ensuring efficient and effective IDP and camp management.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region IV-A conducted the training. The sessions included practical and functional exercises to familiarize participants with crucial reporting tools, referral systems, and action planning. Participants were instructed on the necessary tools and techniques for gathering data, managing critical supplies, and providing temporary shelter.
In his message, Mayor Webster D. Letargo underscored the training's importance as a key component of the city's overall disaster preparedness. He stated that by providing the LGU's lead departments and workforce with a broader knowledge base, the team is better equipped to provide efficient assistance and support to those affected by disasters.
“The need to prepare is real. Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year. If a disaster occurs in our community, we will try to help, but we need everyone to be ready as well. This training is a crucial step in ensuring our people are equipped to respond effectively.”
Mayor Letargo also emphasized that the training addressed the crucial challenge of supplementing local resources by collaborating with both local and foreign sources. This collaborative ability is vital for meeting the needs that cannot be met due to a lack of local government resources and is a key component of a robust disaster response plan.
"As a direct result of this program, we will develop detailed camp coordination and camp management plans that outline protocols for shelter management, food distribution, and medical aid, to ensure all requirements for managing evacuation centers are met and that basic service delivery is well-coordinated.” the mayor said.
Resource persons also shared valuable best practices for managing evacuation sites, offering insights into logistical and emotional support for the displaced. They emphasized the vital importance of collaboration and coordination among various sectors and government agencies to ensure a timely and well-coordinated response during emergencies.
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