On May 28 and 29, 2025, the Institution Building (IB) Division of the UP Resilience Institute (UPRI) shared their expertise in the Emergency Preparedness and Planning (EPP) of Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) through the conduct of a training-workshop. The activity was held at the Social Hall of the Sugar Center Building in Diliman, Quezon City.
The training was overseen by Dr. Carlos Primero D. Gundran, Director of the IB Division. The training-workshop was then facilitated by Mr. Edward Andrew Dionido, IB Science Research Specialist II. He welcomed participants and guided them through the sessions over the two-day event.
The IB team also served as speakers for the following subject matters: Mr. Franklin Joshua Gali gave a lecture on the Mission Essential Functions (MEFs), including its purpose, scope, and objectives of the EPP; Ms. Jerzyne Anne Corpuz presented topics on hazard identification and the activation and deactivation criteria for the Incident Command System (ICS); and Mr. Jonathan David Maligalig discussed how to create and implement an effective communication plan during emergencies.
One of the key highlights was the session by Mr. Jose Ongkiko, who gave a detailed and practical lecture on go bags and the Incident Command System (ICS). He also introduced useful tools for emergency communication such as whistle commands, including specific patterns for blowing the whistle to signal different instructions. He demonstrated standard hand signals to help silently communicate in loud or chaotic environments, and also emphasized the use of flashlight signaling when visibility is limited. These techniques provided participants with practical, alternative ways to stay coordinated during emergencies.
Another important part of the training was the lecture of Dr. Likha Minimo, who focused on the technologies used in hazard identification. She introduced the participants to various online tools and platforms where they can view and study the hazard maps relevant to their areas. By showing practical examples and giving links to these websites, Dr. Minimo emphasized the importance of familiarity with local hazard data in improving preparedness efforts.
A major highlight of the second day was a surprise table-top emergency drill, facilitated by Dr. Gundran with support from UP Manila’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) staff Tricia May Hilario and Aloyseus Sun Perez. The exercise allowed participants to apply what they had learned in a simulated scenario, highlighting the importance of teamwork, decision-making, and clear communication under pressure.
The program also featured opening remarks from Atty. Geronimo and legal insights from Atty. Lamberto Delleva. There were open discussions and sharing of experiences from the participants, adding value to the training by connecting concepts to real-life events.
Though some situations during the exercise were unexpected, the experience reinforced the importance of preparedness, coordination, and presence of mind in emergency situations. The training served as an important step in helping the SET become better equipped for future emergencies.