On May 19-23, 2025, UPRI travelled to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) to assist in a Workshop led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Representing UPRI were Administrative Officer IV Hazel Victoriano, Junior Project Assistants Jerzyne Anne Corpuz and Franklin Joshua Gali. Joining them were OCD representatives Emerito Junie Castillo III, Jaye M. Cabauatan, Angelo Collo Hernandez, Floramaye B. Buendia, and invited trainer Mark Emil C. Aguinaldo. Participants of the workshop consisted of over 40 BCDA personnel from various Departments and Divisions. The main purpose of this five day workshop was to develop the Public Service Continuity Plan (PSCP) of the BCDA.
Image 1: BCDA Vice President of Regulatory, Compliance and Risk Management Department, Atty. Fernando T. Gallardo Jr., providing an introduction of their offices (left) and Emerito Junie Castillo III beginning the training with an interactive Q&A with the audience (right).
The first day began with an introduction of the BCDA from the Vice President of the Regulatory, Compliance and Risk Management Department, Atty. Fernando T. Gallardo Jr. wherein the corporation’s roles and responsibilities were discussed. With 19 departments and various divisions, Atty. Gallardo ensured that the workshop would have representatives from all of these groups. Initial discussions centered around confusion regarding the Mission Essential Functions (MEFs), which revealed varied interpretations, particularly between operational mandates and public service contributions. Discussions on why the BCDA should maintain continuity even during disasters arose along with its responsibilities as a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC).
Image 2: Workshops on the various parts of the PSCP conducted and facilitated by OCD and UPRI representatives
UPRI Administrative Officer IV Hazel Victoriano led the discussion on the importance of policy statements as a guiding principle for the rest of the PSCP. For the second and third days of the training, Junior Project Assistants Jerzyne Anne Corpuz and Franklin Joshua Gali discussed in detail the sections dedicated to assumptions, MEFs, and Recovery Time Objectives. These discussions would culminate in workshops that provided the participants guidance from the facilitators while writing.
Image 3: UPRI Representatives Hazel Victoriano, Jerzyne Anne Corpuz, and Franklin Joshua Gali leading discussions
As the workshop progressed, other sessions would delve deeper into the PSCP framework, focusing on risk analysis, resource requirements, and continuity strategies. Facilitators led sessions on the risk appetite and vulnerability assessments, fostering an evidence-based approach to continuity planning. Breakout activities allowed departments to identify current control measures, effectiveness, and gaps in their continuity capabilities. The discussions were supported by real-world examples, such as BCDA’s COVID pandemic response, and included recommendations for defining activation and deactivation protocols through the Continuity Core Team (CCT) and Disaster Control Group (DCG). Participants also reviewed foundational PSCP elements, such as communication plans, impact analysis, testing mechanisms, and the importance of annual updates.
Image 4: Continuation of activities and writeshop in the final day of the BCDA PSCP Training Workshop
In conclusion, the workshop laid a foundation for the completion of BCDA’s Public Service Continuity Plan. As part of the way forward, all BCDA departments and divisions are now committed to finalizing their individual PSCP components for consolidation. This collective output aims to be presented by the fourth quarter of 2025. The collaborative effort during the workshop signifies a shared recognition of BCDA’s dual role as both a revenue-generating agency and a critical player in national resilience. With technical guidance from the OCD and support from UPRI, the BCDA committed to integrating continuity planning into its core operations, ensuring that it can sustainably deliver on its mandates even in the face of disruptions.
Image 5: A group picture of the representatives from UPRI, OCD, and BCDA