OCD to create protocols based Philippine rescue team's Turkey experiences

In preparation for a possible disaster that may hit the Philippines, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will formulate earthquake-related protocols based on the insights of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) deployed to Turkey.

OCD Joint Information Center head Diego Mariano said on Sunday that the Filipino team deployed to Turkey, which had been jolted by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on February 6, had two accomplishments—-first was being able to extend help to the quake victims, and second was being able to gain first-hand experience on how to operate during such calamities.

“Wala pang lindol sa atin, pero alam na natin ang gagawin dahil nga dito sa deployment na nagawa natin. Sila ay nakakuha ng iba’t ibang insights at ‘yan ay kanilang ibabahagi sa atin, kung ano ang dapat gagawin o ano ang applicable sa ating bansa pagbalik nila dito,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We may not have an earthquake yet, but we already know what to do because of the Turkey deployment. The team gained numerous insights that they will share when they return.)

The OCD said Saturday that all 82 members of the PIAHC would return to the Philippines on March 1.

Once they arrive in the country, Mariano said there would be a debriefing with the rescue team to discuss what they learned during their two-week mission in Turkey.

“In our part, kung baga maisa-libro ito, mai-gawa sa tamang protocol at maibahagi sa iba pang sektor dito sa atin either private sector or sa public sector. Hihimayin natin itong experience nila para magamit natin nang husto dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.

(For our part, we will document this knowledge, use it to create the proper protocols, and share them with other sectors, either private or public. We will make use of their experiences for the benefit of the Philippines.)

While in Turkey, the PIAHC completed search and rescue operations in 36 damaged or collapsed structures, retrieving six bodies.

Its Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team also treated  938 patients. — DVM, GMA Integrated News