DRRMU gears up for a more prepared, resilient ‘Smart BukSU’

MALAYBALAY CITY – Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Reduction Risk and Management Act of 2010,” the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit geared up for a more prepared and resilient ‘Smart BukSU’ during its conduct of the 1st Quarter Earthquake and Fire Emergency Drill on March 23, 2023.

Mr. Rhondell M. Paraiso, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit Head, emphasized that the said drill focused on three main goals.

“First is Smart Governance – the Hazard-based project, programs, and activities which aimed to minimize risks and to be prepared for any circumstances that disaster may occur,” he said.

“Second is for Smart Campus – a Unified BukSU, in partnership with Bureau of Fire Protection and City Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office (CDRRMO) EMS and the university response units in order to be service-efficient,” he added.

He said it will also cover a unified DRRM program for BukSU Hotel, Casisang Annex, and the 15 Satellite Campuses.

“Third is the ‘Smart Student’ – a cooperation with the Student Body Organization for information dissemination and utilization of social media for a faster communication drive towards student,” he said.

He mentioned that they have observed the efficiency of social media in the information dissemination of the earthquake and fire emergency drill.

After the conduct of the drill, Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, University President, extended her gratitude to the evaluators and to everyone who participated during the drill.

Ms. Rosanna S. Generato, Chief Administrative Officer of Administrative Offices said in her message that the drill was of great help to the university and that “we are prepared if ever it would come.

Officers and staff from Malaybalay City Bureau of Fire Protection and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office were the evaluators of BuKSU’s conduct of the 1^st quarter  drill. University officials, faculty, personnel, and students occupying the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business building groups participated during the evacuation.

Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, University President, as the Responsible Officer; Mr. Dante S. Victoria Jr., Vice President for Administration and Finance, as the Incident Commander; and Ms. Rosanna S. Generato, Chief Administrative Officer, as the Deputy Incident Commander composed the Incident Management Team (BukSU IMT).

Dr. Maribel Valdez, CAS Dean, as the Ground Commander and Mr. Jhon Paul Lanzaderas as the DRRM-In-Charge for building monitoring composed the College of Arts and Sciences Disaster Management Unit (CAS DMU).

Dr. Nestor Y. Cipriano, COB  Dean, was the Ground Commander and Mr. John Michael Jamis as the DRRM-In-Charge for building monitoring composed the College of Business Disaster Management Unit (COB DMU). The activity aimed to test the efficiency and usefulness, response and recovery plans, systems and policies developed in above-mentioned colleges. It has provided a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of the colleges’ established contingency plan and to assess the coordination and communication mechanism during the operation.

The DRRMU also conducted a Vehicular Accident & Emergency Management Orientation for BukSU Motorpool personnel and DRRMU TRIBU (Tactical Response Initiative Base-Protection Unit) held at the University Mini Theater on March 17, 2023; and an Orientation on Emergency Management to BukSU personnel on March 21, 2023.

DRRMU T.R.I.B.U. Mofel John M. Cañete of the Chief Administrative Office and DRRMU T.R.I.B.U. Rhea Villapaz of Elementary School Laboratory managed the emergency orientation.  

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Team leaders Ms Inee T. Verana, EMT-B and Mr. Alexander S. Dimagiba, RN, EMT-B of 911 Central (City Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office) were the resource speakers during the emergency orientation.  These activities are part of the DRRMU’ initiative: BukSU S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Hazard Intervention, Education, Logistics and Development) in support to ‘Smart BukSU.’ (Diana Rose B. Lagoy/Information Unit)