The Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 conducted a Training on the Management of the Dead and Missing Person cum Capacity Development Activities on COVID-19 Response on November 14-16, 2022, at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, Cebu City.
The three-day blended virtual and face-to-face training was participated by the DILG Provincial/City DRR-CCA Focal Persons, City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (C/MLGOOs), Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (LDRRMOs), Local Social Welfare and Development Officers (LSWDOs), Local Health Officers (LHOs), Local Police Officers, and Local Fire Officers of various local government units in Central Visayas.
DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela graced the said activity and delivered his welcome message to the participants.DILG-7 DRR-CCA Regional Focal Person Leo Pasilang thoroughly discussed the Rules and Regulations Governing the Management of the Dead and Missing Person and its System Supports to Operations and Reportorial Requirements.
Pasilang likewise discussed the salient features of the Management of the Dead and Missing Person (MDM) Field Manual that contains protocols, guidelines and relevant reference materials, including the various forms to be used for specific MDM-related activities.On the other hand, the topic on the Management of the Dead and Missing Person (MDM) as a Component to Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System (PDRRMS), National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP), Incident Command System (ICS), and its Facilities was discussed by DILG Negros Oriental DRR-CCA Focal Person Joma Catayas.Medical Officer III of DOH CVCHD Dr. Shelbay Blanco, for his part, discussed the guidelines on the final arrangement of the dead and the key actor/s in the process of handling the body, while Mr. Emil John Arevalo of DOH CVCHD demonstrated the Proper Donning and Doffing of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs).
.Meanwhile, Medicolegal Officer and Assistant Chief of Regional Forensic Unit VII Benjamin Venancio Lara presented the process and logistical requirements, culturally accepted norms and beliefs in handling dead bodies and body parts.
Likewise, Lara discussed the process of reporting missing persons as well as the proper process of interviewing relatives of victim.For her part, Lilibeth Cabiara, Disaster Response Management Division Chief of DSWD-7, demonstrated the appropriate and sensitive attitude in dealing with bereaved families and presented also the importance in providing initial Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)to bereaved families.During her closing message, Local Government Capacity Development Division (LGCDD)-7 Chief Maria Thelya Oporto also recognized three participants who were the most active and participative among the participants that attended via face-to-face.
