DISASTER RESPONSE. At least 30 reservists undergo a three-day training on disaster response initiated by the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in collaboration with partner government agencies. The training kicked off Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2023) at the OCD-Zamboanga Peninsula office in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. (Photo courtesy of Westmincom) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) is training reservists in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the region. In a statement Thursday, Westmincom said it has initiated a three-day Joint Reserve Force Incident Command System (ICS) training that began at the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) - Zamboanga Peninsula in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday. Westmincom commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said the training - under collaboration with OCD and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Council - aims to impart the basic skills, knowledge, and techniques of ICS integrating the use of the reservists in HADR operations. Thirty reserve officers and enlisted personnel of the 9th Regional Community Defense Group, 6th Air Reserve Center, and Naval Reserve Center - Western Mindanao are participating in the training. "We are preparing our reserve personnel to be available for both military and non-military duties, especially during crisis or calamity," Galido said. Last week, Galido and OCD Regional Director Ramon Ochotorena discussed the "marching order" of the Department of National Defense on matters related to disaster response when the latter visited the Westmincom headquarters. (PNA) }