Sto.Domingo Albay– The Department of Social Welfare and Development Bicol conducted a two-day capability building and has re-organized its Quick Response Team (QRT) last week at Sarung Bangui Resort, Sto. Domingo, Albay.

According to Ms. Marites Quismorio, Social Welfare Officer II and Focal Person of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Section (DRRMS), the activity aims to enhance the participant’s  knowledge on disaster risk reduction and management particularly in the promotion and protection of the rights of the internally-displaced persons and families (IDPs). The said capacity building activity also aims to refresh the participants with the roles and functions of the QRT relative to disaster management.

The QRT refers to a composite team of trained DSWD personnel ready to be deployed to affected areas to assist the affected local government units in delivering disaster relief and humanitarian services during massive natural and human-induced disasters.

It is a key DSWD mechanism to provide better efficiency, effectiveness, timely response and good governance in the execution of disaster response.

Quismorio explained that as the lead agency for disaster response, the DSWD is mandated to provide augmentation support to local government units (LGUs) and capacitate them in managing calamities as first responders.

“During disaster, the DSWD provides the basic services through the distribution of the family food packs and non-food items such as malongs, dignity kits, laminated sacks, etc., monitor and assist in the evacuation centers and provides psychological interventions” Quismorio  added.

Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 states that the LGUs are the first responders when natural and man- made disaster strikes in their respective areas.

Furthermore, LGUs have the responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate relief assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centers as stipulated on the Local Government Code of 1991.

Participants were also oriented and taught on how to operate the state-of-the- art satellite telecommunications equipment from Inmarsat, a British mobile satellite company, which can be used to communicate and access reliable, accurate and timely information during and after disaster.

Section / Unit heads, Provincial Action Teams and Information Officers of the agency attended the activity.