By: Dante M. Salvaña
Subic Bay Freeport — The local government of Hermosa and Abucay Bataan has intensified its disaster preparedness efforts by conducting a three-day Basic Incident Command System (ICS) training in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 3 to improve emergency response and coordination ahead of the peak rainy season at Mansion Garden Subic Bay Freeport on June 30, 2026.
The training brought together barangay officials, municipal personnel, and emergency responders, with Hermosa Mayor Anne Lorraine Adorable-Inton and Abucay Mayor Eric Martel participating in the full three-day course.
Mayor Inton said the training is timely as Hermosa prepares for the annual threats posed by typhoons and flooding.
“We have to be prepared as early as now because every year we experience the effects of typhoons and the southwest monsoon. Proper training will help us protect lives and minimize the impact of disasters,” she said.
She added that the municipal government is strengthening its disaster response by providing continuous training, ensuring adequate funding for emergency operations, prepositioning relief supplies, and coordinating closely with the OCD and other national agencies.
Inton also identified public complacency toward recurring floods as one of the municipality’s biggest challenges, saying some residents are reluctant to evacuate despite warnings.
OCD Region 3 ICS Course Monitor Karl Michael Marasigan said the Basic ICS is one of the agency’s flagship programs that standardizes incident management among local governments and emergency response agencies nationwide.
“The system ensures proper coordination and interoperability among responders during emergencies,” Marasigan said, noting that the course covers incident management, organizational structure, operational planning, and media management.
He also commended Hermosa and Abucay for having its local chief executive complete the entire three-day training, saying it demonstrates strong commitment to disaster preparedness.
Meanwhile, Abucay Mayor Martel said he joined the training to better equip himself in leading emergency response operations, especially after severe flooding affected eight of Abucay’s nine barangays last year.
“As local chief executives, we need to understand how to respond, direct our personnel, and make sound decisions during emergencies. This training prepares us to lead effectively when disasters occur,” Martel said.
He said Abucay is also planning to install a siren warning system with distinct signals for different emergencies to further strengthen community preparedness.
The Basic Incident Command System is being implemented nationwide by the Office of Civil Defense to enhance disaster risk reduction and emergency management capabilities among local government units.