The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur through the Environment, Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO), conducted a five-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Protection for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) practitioners on April 1-5, 2025, at the Digital Transformation Center, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili.

The training session was attended by thirty-six (36) representatives from the DRRM Offices and Social Welfare and Development Offices of 21 local government units of the province, as well as personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office, and the Department of Education.

CCCM is an essential part of humanitarian efforts and is crucial for ensuring the safety, dignity, and welfare of IDPs. To fully strengthen the understanding of the DRRM practitioners in CCCM, as well as equip them with the skills to serve as practitioners in their respective municipalities, the rigorous training employed interactive and engaging methodologies including lectures, organized learning activities, workshops, role-playing scenarios, practice sessions, and multimedia presentations. 

Experts from DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) served as resource speakers and facilitators of the said training, along with the assistance of the EDMERO and PSWDO personnel.

Julie Ann Samar, a Research and Planning Assistant from MDRRMO Nabua and one of the participants, shared her realizations after attending the training. “Sa 3 years ko sa DRRM, akala ko ‘pag nasa EOC ka lang, dun na natatapos ang responsibilidad mo. Pero pagdating pala sa reality, ang daming process para mas kumpleto ‘yung mga kailangang gawin sa mga IDPs,” she said.

Samar also shared that upon attending the training, she gained ample knowledge and skills to properly handle the IDPs. “Madadala ko [ito] sa munisipyo ng Nabua at matuturo sa mga barangay ang kahalagahan ng CCCM, maintindihan kung ano ang mga IDPs para in case na may kalamidad, mas maayos na ito at wala ng gap na mangyayari,” she furthered.

The training comprised four modules covering essential subjects, such as the Disaster Response and Risk Reduction Framework, pertinent laws and regulations concerning the protection of IDPs, humanitarian standards, camp management, information management, and approaches for early recovery.

In the coming days, the same training will be cascaded to the barangay level to capacitate another set of local trainers responsible for effective CCCM and IDP protection.