CamSur local chief executives undergo ICS executive course training

By Annalyn Gallego

As part of the National Disaster Resilience Month celebration, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur through the Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Camarines Sur and the Office of Civil Defense Region 5, spearheaded the Incident Command System (ICS) Executive Course Training on July 11, 2025 at the Digital Transformation Center, Capitol Complex.

CamSur’s newly elected Local Chief Executives (LCEs) participated in the training, where they gained essential knowledge on disaster response mechanisms, such as the ICS, Emergency Operations Center, and the Cluster Approach. The training also emphasized the critical roles of the Incident Commander and Responsible Officer, which LCEs will undertake on their local response operations. The said training is also crucial to enable LCEs to respond swiftly and effectively should disaster strike their area of responsibility.

San Fernando Municipal Mayor Betty Ann Kristine “Tin” Danabar-Fulgentes, one of the participants, shared, “Ang arog po kaining training for the LCEs, dakulang bagay lalong-lalo na ta ang samuyang banwaan pirming binabaha and may mga landslide-prone areas kami. So, importante na igwang arog kaining training for us na kung may mangyayari man, at least aram mi na ang gigibuhon mi. Sabi ngani kayan, this is a proactive approach sa pwede talagang mangyaring disaster sa territorial jurisdiction mi.”

“If ever man na may calamity na provincial-wide, magiging kasangkapan kami kang province na ma-carry out si mandate na magkaigwa ning maray na pag-respond sa mga arog kayan na calamities. Aram ta man po na ang CamSur pirming tigtatamaan ning typhoon, at least we are capacitated how to respond and at least ma-reduce yung risk sa mga pwede pang mangyaring kalamidad sa lugar na sinasakopan mi,” added Mayor Danabar.

DILG Provincial Director Ray Ceceres and Cluster Head Jerwin Novio also graced the event and underscored the important role of local government units and barangays in incident management. PD Caceres also noted that the LCEs’ participation in the training was an advanced step towards their compliance with the Seal of Good Local Governance, since they are required to undergo ICS training as part of the disaster preparedness requirements.

The Provincial Government, headed by Governor Lray Villafuerte, has consistently strengthened its disaster management systems across the province through comprehensive capacity development trainings from the provincial, municipal, and down to the barangay level.

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM EXECUTIVE COURSE. The Camarines Sur provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Lray Villafuerte through the EDMERO CamSur, conducted anew the Incident Command System (ICS) Executive Course Training among local chief executives (LCEs) and heads of agencies held at the Digital Transformation Center, Capitol Complex last July 11, 2025. The training aims to equip the participants with essential knowledge on ICS concepts, organization and staffing, which includes the role of Incident Commander and Responsible Officer, its facilities, how to manage planned events and major incidents, and common responsibilities. This training is crucial to enabling LCEs to respond swiftly and effectively when disaster strikes their area of responsibility. ts/rbmjr/pgommec07162025/fb_GovLrayVillafuerte/fb_ProvinceofCamarinesSur