By Frances Kristine Alvero/ PNA
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 12 (Soccsksargen) is pushing for the establishment of a training facility for disaster responders.
TESDA-12 director, Rafael Abrogar II, said Thursday studies are underway for the opening of a Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction (PDRR) Academy in South Cotabato province.
Abrogar said the provincial government, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), has shown interest in helping put up the facility during initial talks earlier this month.
He said the proposed PDRR Academy will mainly answer the area’s needs for more trained disaster responders.
“It will be the first TESDA-registered PDRR Academy in the country,” he said in a press conference.
The official said he pitched the proposal to the PDRRMO after raising concerns over the limited number of trained disaster responders and volunteers in the area.
He said PDRRMO head, Milagros Lorca, cited that most of the province’s barangays and municipalities lack “equipped and capacitated” rescue responders.
Abrogar said the proposed academy will serve as a training institution for all disaster responders in the province.
He said the agency has training programs on emergency medical services, lifeguard services, and related services.
Once the facility is established, he said it will be registered or accredited as a TESDA training center.
“The trainings will be based on the industry standards and those who will undergo the programs will receive a national certificate,” Abrogar said.
The official said the establishment of the PDRR Academy will also open opportunities for disaster responders from nearby provinces and cities to have proper training.
TESDA-12 and the provincial government of South Cotabato have established a joint technical working group to study the proposal, he added.
