𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍, 𝐂𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 (July 22) — In anticipation of the La Niña phenomenon and the ensuing rainy season, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10) recently commenced an intensive five-day training program on Disaster Risk Reduction Management Information System (DRRMIS) and Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) here, today.

This proactive initiative to mitigate fishery and aquaculture damages during calamities has brought together some 40 participants, consists the bureau’s provincial fishery officers (PFO), district fishery technicians (DFT), and regional and provincial report officers.

Elaborating on the rationale, BFAR10’s Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit (PMEU) head, Stephanie C. Tomarong stated that the training focused on enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities, emphasizing the critical importance of data management and needs assessment in the aftermath of disasters.

“We, as BFAR’s report officers, must address the process of making our reports. We have to have a sense of urgency. We have to improve our promptness, especially in times of calamities and this training is just one of the solutions to bridging that gap,” remarked Tomarong.

According to the PMEU head, the first two days of the training will be dedicated to understanding the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Information System (DRRMIS), where the participants will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of disaster risk reduction, data collection, and information management.

To be facilitated by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Climate and Environment Risk Reduction and Management Unit (CERRMU), this session will highlight the significance of real-time data in predicting and responding to disaster-related incidents, ensuring timely and effective interventions for fishing communities and the fisherfolk.

The following two days will be the training on Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) by experts from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Resource speakers will guide the participants through assessing the impact of disasters on fisheries and aquaculture by evaluating damages, losses, and recovery needs with PDNA tools to develop accurate and comprehensive assessments, which are crucial for planning and implementing recovery strategies.(𝘾𝙇𝙑𝙞𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚/𝘽𝙁𝘼𝙍-10)