The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the Environment, Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office, successfully conducted the Training on Community-Based Early Warning, Evacuation, Camp Coordination, and Camp Management System (EECCCM) on August 12-14, 2025, at the Digital Transformation Center, Cadlan, Pili.
The training was attended by 45 representatives from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Education, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices, and Rural Health Units from Districts 2, 3, and 5. Cadres and personnel from EDMERO served as instructors during the training where they employed interactive and engaging methodologies, including lectures, organized learning activities, workshops, and sessions, to fully equip participants in the given topics.
Said training aimed to create a first in the province Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for EECCCM which is based on the community. The SOP aims to equip communities, local leaders, and response teams with the right knowledge and skills in effectively utilizing Early Warning Systems (EWS), conducting the pre-evacuation and evacuation phase, and managing camps during emergencies.
Rowena San Jose, LDRRMO III, and EECCCM Staff, said that EDMERO will strengthen the color-coded flag system during emergencies to help people understand the potential risks and to take appropriate actions. She added that this is a simple, quick, and visible communication tool to save lives. “Kun sa manlaen-laen na Early Warnings ta, kun mag-fail na ito, halimbawa cellphone kun mayo na nin network, telepono, [or ano pa man na kagamitan], ang flag kaya dawa aki o ano pa man siya, ‘pag nahiling ninda ining flag na tinaas, maaaraman ninda an boot tang sabihon,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jemuel Guerrero, LDRRMO II, and Admin and Training Officer of MDRRMO Libmanan, shared that the training is very crucial, especially in the aftermath of typhoon Kristine, where the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th districts of the province were submerged in floodwater. He added that this training is a preparedness measure for communities on the impending hazards or emergencies that may arise.
“Dakulang tabang po ini huli ta maha-harmonize po gabos, magiging uniform ang gigibuhon na Early Warning sa bilog na CamSur. Saro lang po an hiro kan kada tawo, so mas madali po—bakong maribong. Sa opisina man po, mas mapapadali po an samuyang trabaho ta igwa na pong susunudon na protocol or procedure during Early Warning, Camp Management, and Evacuation,” he said.
Guerrero also recognized the Provincial Government’s effort under the leadership of Governor Lray Villafuerte for continuously organizing initiatives for disaster risk reduction and management.
“Dakula pong pasasalamat mi sa Province of Camarines Sur, lalong-lalo na po sa EDMERO and kay Gov. Lray na naggibo po kaining activity, nag-initiate. Dakulang tabang talaga pong maray ini samuya kasi minsan sa kadakulan pong dina-download na mga protocols, ini po saro sa mga importanteng protocols na localized po digdi satuya sa CamSur,” Guerrero furthered.
