Disaster Relief & Rehabilitation
Disaster Resilience in Disability:
Championing Readiness, Response, & Rehabilitation
Maria Lourdes Corazon Fernandez-Tapang, MD, MPH, FPARM
Figure lifted from the PMA Emergency Response to Disaster Manual
The Philippines being in a location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean and within the Pacific Circle of Fire makes it susceptible to frequent tropical storms and earthquakes. Thus, in response to the numerous natural calamities that has plagued our nation, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) in cooperation with various sectors in society has been continuously serving the nation via medical missions headed by their Committee on Emergency and Disaster Response.
Drawing from insights gained from previous
experiences, the PMA Committee on
Emergency and Disaster Response
developed a Disaster Response protocol
for implementation across all component
societies and specialty societies
nationwide. This led to the creation of
Memorandum Circular No. 2022-07-27-06
which was issued by the Philippine Medical
Association to all component medical
societies, specialty divisions, specialty
societies, and affiliate societies on July 27,
2022. The memorandum requests each
member society to organize, activate, and
submit a complete list of their disaster
response team, thereby optimizing and
streamlining the response process. In
accordance with the request of the PMA,
the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation
Medicine (PARM), headed by Dr. Raymund
Balverde, subsequently enforced the
inclusion of all vice-presidents from each
chapter in the committee, demonstrating a
unified commitment to effective disaster
preparedness and response efforts. As part of the advocacy of the 33rd PARM Annual Convention, the recently established PARM Emergency Response and Disaster Committee was given the responsibility of organizing a seminar-workshop focused on disaster preparedness, evacuation procedures, and medical management. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and preparedness of all stakeholders, with special emphasis on individuals with impairments.
Poster of the PARM Emergency Response and Disaster Committee Seminar-Workshop
Centered around the theme “SURVIVOR – Disaster Resilience in Disability: Championing Readiness, Response, and Rehabilitation” the program was held at Simon’s Place Paradise in Tacloban, Leyte on February 26, 2023, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The inaugural lecture which focused on Pre-disaster response was given by Dr. Melecio Peña III, the 2022-2023 Chair of the PARM Emergency Response and Disaster Committee and 1st Vice-President of the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine. Following this insightful session, Dr. Maria Lourdes Corazon F. Tapang , Vice-president of the NCR Chapter, led a discussion on peri- and post-disaster response strategies.
2022-2023 PARM NCR Chapter Vice–President, Maria Lurdes Corazon F. Tapang, MD giving her lecture.
2022-2023 Chair of PARM Emergency Response and Disaster Committee and PARM National 1st Vice-President, Melecio Peña III, MD giving his lecture.
Capping the workshop was an invigorating Amazing Race carefully crafted by Mr. Teodulus Munez and his team, with invaluable support from Dr. Raymund Balverde, the 2022-2023 PARM President. Participants, comprising of fellows and diplomates coming from different PARM chapters, and residents from various training institutions, were divided into three teams. Each team engaged in a series of challenges designed to foster skills that are vital for disaster preparedness.
Obstacle course during the PARM Emergency Response and Disaster Committee Seminar-Workshop
These challenges ranged from mastering practical skills such as learning how to paddle a canoe and navigating difficult terrains to cultivating abstract qualities like presence of mind, creativity, and adopting team-spirit. Through this hands-on experience, participants not only enjoyed themselves but honed the necessary competencies crucial for an effective-disaster management, fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience within the PARM community and beyond.
Participants and attendees of the PARM Emergency Response and Disaster Committee Seminar-Workshop.
