By:Emmanuel D. Taghoy
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD)-9 spearheaded recently a
two-day Emergency Telecommunications Cluster Summit dubbed “ICT Bayanihan” at
the Grand Astoria Hotel here.
It was attended by the
regional and local disaster risk reduction and management council
(DRRMC)-member agencies such as the Department of Science and
Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (DOST-PAGASA), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC),
Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Air Force,
Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), and Philippine Information Agency, among others.
Acting Regional
Director Emilia Julhajan of OCD-9 said the activity aimed to establish and
institutionalize a rapid emergency telecommunications team (RETT) in the region
and strengthen each of the key players capacity in disaster preparedness and
response particularly on the field of information, communications and
technology (ICT).
She said “the activity
looks into the elements that are necessary to achieve greater information
sharing, tasks division, operational planning, creation of unified efforts and
the institutionalization of the most important element of disaster management
cycle, which is the ICT in the disaster management program.”
“Aside from showcasing
your respective ability, it is an opportunity to link ourselves with each other
through communication so that we be able to react effectively and efficiently
in case of a disaster,” she added.
OCD Undersecretary
Ricardo Jalad, who graced the second day of the event said “it is unique. It is
not just a training but a training with commitment. It does not end here but
continues as we faced disasters. I hope we will continue to work together for
the benefit of the many.”
The
RETT will be implemented through a conglomeration of the Emergency
Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) that will be regularly in contact with each
other and promote convergence, unified actions and provide better working
relationships.