RADSHOW 2016 Showcases The Things We Need For of Disaster Resilience

The nation is a high risk disaster-prone country which has been lashed by so many natural disasters in years. That is why it would be important that every Filipino should level up their knowledge and actions in preparedness and response. 

Recently, The Commercial and Amateur Radio Transceiver Dealers Association of the Philippines (CARTDAPI) held today “Beyond Response: Ready. Recover. Rebuild.” – the RADSHOW 2016 on Disaster Resilience at the SMX Convention Center which was a three-day convention aims to spread awareness on the importance of disaster resilience in achieving a high human survival rate after calamities, as well as highlight communication tools as a critical component for disaster management and response. 

Disaster resilience is defined as the ability of individuals, communities, organization and states to adapt to and recover from hazards, shocks and stresses without compromising long-term prospects for development. 

Last year, PHIVOLCS has warned the country of a possible major earthquake hitting Northern Luzon, prompting the MMDA to conduct a Metro Manila-wide earthquake contingency plan to prepare the city for such a calamity. 

Taking this further, RADSHOW 2016 urged local government units, volunteer groups and the general public to also focus on disaster preparedness, recovery and rebuilding. 

“With extreme weather events and disasters becoming more and more common, RADSHOW 2016 is focused on strengthening our country’s resilience versus these calamities. We are bringing together industry experts who will share their best practices so we can minimize risk and bounce back should these disasters occur,” explained CARTDAPI President Engr. Cecile Oreta-Rivera. 

The convention opened with a keynote addresses on the “Philippines State of Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency” from Search and Rescue Unit Foundation President Gerardo Carual, CSP and “State of the Philippine Nature & Climate 2016” from PAGASA Acting Administrator Dr. Vicente B. Mariano.

On disaster resilience and management, there were talks on “Global Resilience Methods” from UN-OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) Philippines Community Engagement Officer Gil Francis Arevalo along with Case Studies on disaster management from PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Renato U. Solidum. HYTERA Sr. Product Engr. Dave dela Torre will also discuss the importance of communications before and after disasters.

Aside from daily earthquake simulator experiences, there were pocket seminars, each building on the idea of Ready, Recover and Rebuild. Highlights for Day 1: Ready included talks on disaster preparedness before and during earthquake, fires and more from the Citizen’s Disaster Response Center (CDRC). 

Day 2: Recover tackled Personal & Home Disaster Survival, arming guests with knowledge on Basic Life Support, Emergency First Aid at home and in the office and Psychological First Aid.  

Another highlight of Day 2 was the importance of communications during disaster recovery, particularly stressing the importance of two-way radios in saving lives during disasters.

   

“Communication is aid. It is a must during disaster recovery and two-way radios have proven to be reliable tools that have helped us reach victims and communities in emergency situations,” said CARTDAPI President Engr. Cecile Oreta-Rivera.

Day 3: Rebuild provided attendees with tools and approaches on how to rebuild the community after the disaster, with talks on Urban Planning and Development, Livelihood Programs and the role of the Government during a disaster. 

The first 250 guests of the RADSHOW got the chance to play Key 2 Survive, an interactive game that tests their survival skills and knowledge. Participants were given KEY Passports at the registration booth and were invited to answer questions and complete obstacle courses at 10 different booths to win exciting prizes.

For more information, visit http://www.cartdapi.com/radshow2016/.