In a move to capacitate the public sector’s preparedness against natural hazards and disaster, some 40 employees from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1 completed a three-day Basic Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Course training on March 25-27, 2026, in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur.

The initiative is pursuant to Republic Act 10121, which mandates that all public sector employees be trained in emergency response and preparedness.

Resource persons were invited from the Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA); the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD); the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Philippine Red Cross (PRC); Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Local Government Unit of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur.

“Ang focus talaga natin ay hindi mainterrupt iyong pagprovide natin ng mga ibat-ibang services towards food security and increase of income ng ating mga clients,” Ms. Irene Tactac, DA-RFO1 DRRM Focal Person, said during the activity. “Wala tayong enough capacity building to craft [a public service continuity plan] and information, so I’m thankful na this 2026, we have a budget sa DRRM,” she added.

(Our focus is to ensure that we continue to provide various services towards food security and increase the income of our clients. We don’t have enough capacity building to craft a public service continuity plan and the information, so I’m thankful that we now have a budget for DRRM this 2026.)

Disasters often disrupt essential services. The course therefore focused on integrating risk assessment into daily government operations and service continuity to ensure that DA can continue supporting the agriculture sector in the aftermath of an emergency.

The DA is committed to training its workforce, considering that the agriculture sector remains one of the most vulnerable industries in the country in times of calamities.