Northern Mindanao drafts response plan for chemical, nuclear threats

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Northern Mindanao is developing a regional emergency response plan for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents to strengthen disaster preparedness and interagency coordination.

The OCD, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), concluded a two-day planning workshop Thursday, 8 October, bringing together emergency responders, government agencies and disaster management officials.

OCD Northern Mindanao director Antonio Sugarol said coordinated planning is essential to addressing emergencies that could pose serious threats to public health and safety.

The workshop focused on identifying potential CBRN hazards, defining agency responsibilities and developing operational procedures for regional disaster response teams.

Jose Embang Jr., director of the Directorate for CBRN and Weapons of Mass Destruction Threats under the Anti-Terrorism Council Program Management Center, discussed the national response framework and the responsibilities of regional disaster management clusters.

Northern Mindanao Medical Center's Dr. Rutchell Simene also tackled the health consequences of CBRN incidents, emphasizing prevention, medical preparedness and coordinated emergency treatment.

Participants conducted cluster-level discussions to identify operational challenges, assess potential impacts and draft response guidelines.

The workshop concluded with agreements on timelines and the consolidation of recommendations for the Regional Disaster Response Plan.

The OCD said the initiative aims to improve cooperation among disaster management, security and healthcare agencies to strengthen Northern Mindanao's readiness for complex emergencies.