Employees from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bauang participated in the Incident Command System (ICS) on Position Course (Level 3) at Brentwood Apartelle, Baguio City, on November 18-22, 2024. The ICS is a management system used by governmental agencies, fire, and police to respond to emergencies. The first level, Basic Incident Command System (BICS), was held on November 2023, while the second level, Training on Integrated Planning Course on Incident Command System, was held on February 26 to March 1, 2024, both in the same venue.

There were 21 employees selected for the training from LGU Bauang. The resource speakers were Ms. Catherine D. Piscal from LGU Bayambang, Ms. Annika Rose F. Malicdem from LGU Bayambang, Mr. Kristian Tabisaura from the Office of Civil Defense Region I (OCD1), and Mr. Gerald Jhune Alejo, Jr. from LGU Tuba.

The ICS is one of the flagship programs of the OCD in implementing Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Act of 2010 to manage disaster consequences and reduce disaster risk by institutionalizing various mechanisms.

ICS is also implemented during events, to ensure the safety of participants. The Philippine ICS was based on the United States Forest Service standard.

With this training, LGU Bauang is hoping to continue the quality emergency response that it is delivering during disasters like typhoons and earthquakes.

Written by: Korina Esteban-Ma