Bontoc, Mountain Province – The disaster response of the responders in this capital was tested during the conduct of a vehicular traffic accident simulation exercise along the Halsema Highway national road in Dantay, Barangay Alab Oriente, Bontoc, Mountain Province on July 29, 2021.
The Amlosong Park in Barangay Bontoc Ili, Mountain Province served as the hospital during the simulation exercise.
The activity involved a real-life scenario of a vehicular traffic accident with six victims who sustained injuries. The six individuals who acted as victims are the junior responders who recently graduated from the Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School (MPGCHS) – Senior High. They were trained by the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) on Basic Life Support (BLS) and First-aid.
This is the first of its kind that a vehicular traffic accident simulation exercise in Bontoc was conducted involving all the responders from the Bontoc LGU and partner agencies.
According to Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Johanna Padaen, the activity aims to institutionalize the Municipal Incident Command System (MCIS) among the members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDDRMC) and strengthen the proper coordination among the response teams in the municipality. Records from the Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS) show that 10 vehicular traffic accidents were recorded in 2020, and four were recorded in the first semester of 2021.
During the Post –Evaluation, the evaluators lauded the responders for making use of every equipment or logistics available in responding during the simulation exercise and for practicing what they have learned during their training in BLS and First-aid.
However, per observation of the evaluators, there are still aspects that need to be improved. Among these are rapid or initial assessment, the establishment of the Incident Command System on the ground, the establishment of the triage area, proper tagging of victims, proper accounting of victims, conduct of primary assessment to the victims, and demobilization.
The responders acknowledged the flaws and corrections observed and remarked that the activity is an avenue for them to improve.
“We welcome all the suggestions and corrections for us to improve our preparedness and response,” one of the responders remarked.
Meanwhile, Padaen thanked all the participants for their continuous support of the disaster risk reduction and management programs of the Bontoc LGU. The responders during the simulation exercise are the members of the Bontoc Emergency Response Team (BERT), Bontoc Municipal Traffic Enforcers Volunteer Organization (BMTEVO), personnel of the Bontoc MPS, Bontoc Municipal Fire Station, and Municipal Health Office.
The simulation exercise, organized by the Bontoc LGU through the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) is the culminating activity of the Municipality of Bontoc in observance of the National Disaster Resiliency Month, July of every year.
The theme for this year is “Tamang Pamamahala’t Kahandaan, Kaalaman at Pagtutulungan sa Sakuna at Pandemya’y Kalasag ng Bayan”. It emphasized the important role of disaster risk governance and the collaboration of all Filipinos to overcome the challenges of this pandemic and to build a green and resilient new normal.** Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc LGU
