The ATI Task Force Team receive their certificates of completion from General Services Section OIC Arlene Nilo, PRC-Disaster Management Service OIC Gilbert Tampos, ATI Deputy Director Alfredo Aton and Human Resources and Management Office OIC Evelym Soriano during the Institute's general assembly last July 14, 2017. (photo by Daniel Nilo)
DILIMAN, Quezon City—“Prepare for, Respond to, and Recover from the effects of disasters” is the goal of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) for its employees amid recent news about the “Big One,” a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that may be generated by the West Valley Fault anytime within the century.
To carry out this goal, the Institute partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for the “Skills Training on Disaster Hazards and Vulnerabilities for ATI Employees.” The activity is also pursuant to Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
A total of 29 staff from the ATI Central Office participated in the five-day training filled with interactive lectures, role plays, group discussions, practical exercises, and group work drills. The training was facilitated by resource persons from the PRC, namely: Levy Saraus, Roselyn Lopez, and Jhoana Cardiel.
The participants were made to understand earthquake, flood, fire, and hazards and disaster, as well as assessment and planning workshops on disaster reduction management. Moreover, they were trained about First Aid which involved handling situations concerning soft tissue, bones, joints, and muscle injuries; basic life support/ Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, and patient/casualty handling.
ATI OIC-Director Luz Taposok sent her gratitude to the Red Cross for their support. “This training will enhance the manpower of ATI to be equipped with necessary skills and knowledge on how to surpass any kind of disasters that we are expecting,” Taposok stated.
The Skills Training was the second of the four-phase disaster risk capacity building for ATI employees held last May 29-June 2, 2017. The first one was the general orientation on disaster risk and vulnerabilities held during the General Assembly last May, while the third phase was the simulated earthquake drill for the Institute’s employees held last July 13. In the following weeks, the last phase of this capacity building activity will be held, which is a simulated drill for ATI employees and tenants.
The participants, now called the ATI Task Force team, received not just their certificates for completing the training but importantly their licenses as First Aiders provided and presented by the PRC-Disaster Management Service OIC Gilbert Tampos during the Institute’s General Assembly last July 14, 2017.