PH to showcase disaster preparedness capabilities in int’l exercise

The Philippines will be given a chance to showcase its disaster preparedness and management capabilities before the international community next month, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Asia-Pacific Regional Earthquake Response Exercise (AP-ERE) will be held on June 25 to 29 in Clark, Pampanga.

The five-day event will include a three-day exercise preparation phase followed by a two-day simulation exercise.

“This is an opportune time for us to showcase our capacities in the international scene, with the hope to further enhance international relations through disaster management and humanitarian assistance,” NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator Usec Ricardo Jalad.

The INSARAG Steering Group has endorsed ERE to increase awareness of INSARAG disaster response methodologies in the host country and to provide a platform for the strengthening of national response capacities, the NDRRMC said in a statement.

INSARAG has held exercises in countries around the world to boost a country’s preparedness to deal with a major earthquake disaster and to enhance its ability to work with international partners and agencies during the initial humanitarian phase of any emergency.

A total of 23 countries are expected to participate in the event next month. /ee