UP Mindanao benchmarks DOrSU’s disaster preparedness, response practices
The University of the Philippines Mindanao (UP Mindanao) visited Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) on September 24 to benchmark on DOrSU’s approach to disaster preparedness, emergency response, and safety management during major activities.
The benchmarking visit, initiated by the UP Mindanao – Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, focused on DOrSU’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) structure, emergency protocols, response procedures, facilities, and incident management practices.
Vice Chancellor for Administration Leo Manuel B. Estaña led the UP Mindanao delegation, which included personnel involved in the university’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Incident Command System.
During the visit, DOrSU shared how it organizes emergency preparedness and response, particularly during activities that bring large numbers of people to the campus.
The University drew from its experience hosting major events, including the 2022 Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Games, commencement exercises, sports competitions, and other university-wide gatherings that required close coordination among offices and safety personnel.
Preparations for the 2022 MASTS Games, for instance, included emergency response and first-aid training for University personnel. DOrSU has also worked with the Bureau of Fire Protection in Mati City on fire safety and first-aid training to strengthen the capacity of personnel to respond to emergencies on campus.
These experiences have helped shape the University’s approach to DRRM, extending preparedness beyond natural hazards to crowd management, medical emergencies, fire incidents, and other risks associated with large-scale activities.
The UP Mindanao delegation also toured selected DOrSU facilities to see how emergency procedures and safety measures are carried out on the ground.
The visit gave UP Mindanao an opportunity to learn practices that may be adopted into its own disaster preparedness and response arrangements, while allowing DOrSU to share lessons drawn from managing emergencies and large-scale events in a disaster-prone region.
