Local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders in Western Visayas are encouraged to conduct collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) training in preparation for the big one.

Civil Defense Western Visayas Regional Director Raul Fernandez, in an interview on Thursday afternoon, said it is important for the region to be ready because it was identified as one of the “assisting regions” for the National Capital Region in case of a strong earthquake.

“The primary skill needed is the collapsed structure search operations, our urban search and rescue teams. Right now, we lack that capability,” he said.

During the fourth quarter meeting of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) on Tuesday, a resolution was passed calling on LGUs to embark on the training.

The resolution states that Western Visayas is susceptible to various natural and human-induced hazards, including earthquakes, typhoons and structural collapses, which “necessitate enhanced preparedness, response capability and technical proficiency.”

“Capacitating LGUs, emergency responders, uniformed services, volunteer organizations and other partner agencies through CSSR Training will significantly improve the region’s readiness and ensure a more efficient and coordinated response during emergencies,” the resolution read.

Meanwhile, Fernandez said the OCD can provide technical assistance and expert trainers, even from other regions and from the uniformed services of the government.

He has initially coordinated with the City of Pasig for whatever technical assistance they can provide, which also showed a semblance of interoperability.

OCD, he said, invested in highly specialized equipment that can also be borrowed by LGUs.

“We suggest provincial DRRM offices to take the lead. The province can invest in tools. They can have a representative from municipal LGUs,” he said.

He noted that Iloilo City has its own Urban Search and Rescue team.

“They only need to be evaluated and accredited by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group based in Singapore, the standard that is being pushed by the OCD central office,” he said.

Fernandez said the OCD hoped to start the training by the middle of 2026.

The RDRRMC also passed another resolution adopting the Regional Contingency Plan for Tropical Cyclone.

The plan outlines strategic response mechanisms, cluster roles, resource requirements, operational protocols, early warning dissemination procedures and coordination arrangements to effectively manage the impacts associated with tropical cyclones. (PNA)