OCD holds 5-day DRRM policy brief workshop for gov’t agencies

Slated from Feb. 19 to 23 in Makati City, the Workshop to Develop Policy Brief for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Policies aims to teach participants how to develop and disseminate policy briefs in a way that everyone, from government officials to the communities, would understand these. (PNA photo)

MANILA — For the first time, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) of the Department of National Defense (DND) organized a five-day policy brief workshop for government agencies.

Slated from Feb. 19 to 23 in Makati City, the Workshop to Develop Policy Brief for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Policies aims to teach participants how to develop and disseminate policy briefs in a way that everyone, from government officials to the communities, would understand these.

In an interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA), Director Susana Juangco, OCD Capacity Building and Training Service chief, noted that the agency normally holds training on disaster risk management/prevention, but this was the first time that the OCD held a policy brief workshop.

“There are many policy issuances, but not all these reach the public,” Juangco explained, adding that these policies are not just papers, as these are meant to be disseminated to the people.

She continued that the workshop also aims to let everyone know what DRRM is all about.

“How should the government units spend the DRRM fund and what for? How would the communities know the use of hazard maps? These are just among the things that we should know in developing DRRM policy briefs,” she noted.
Juangco clarified that the workshop doesn’t aim to redefine the policies or policy briefs that government agencies already have, but only targets to enlighten participates how to disseminate these.

“We have a template. We would teach participants how to create a three-fold flyer, for instance, or how to turn a 10-page policy into a three-page document.

She emphasized that a governor would most likely read a three-page flyer, as compared to a very long document, since a governor is very busy.

Juangco added that policy briefs on DRRM must reach the concerned stakeholders.

“Look at typhoons ‘Urduja’, ‘Vinta’. They were not strong, but many were killed due to landslides. The public, even the barangay captains, should know which areas are at risk,” she explained.

About 80 participants, including those from the OCD regional offices, were present during the workshop. Other government agencies, including the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), had also sent representatives. (PNA)