South Cotabato, Philippines — The three-day Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training for Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council(PDRRMC) Members and Emergency Responders in South Cotabato has successfully concluded, equipping participants with essential knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide immediate psychological and emotional support to individuals and families affected by emergencies and disasters.
The training focused on practical approaches to recognizing signs of distress, communicating effectively with disaster-affected individuals, and providing appropriate psychosocial support in the aftermath of traumatic events.
Kaye Desiree D. Fuentes, RPm, Center Psychometrician and Administrative Officer IV of the DSWD Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth XII, emphasized the important role of trained responders in addressing the psychological impact of disasters.
“Every year, disasters and crises affect our communities not only physically, but also psychologically. Social workers trained in Psychological First Aid (PFA) become our essential mental health partners.”
Fuentes also commended the efforts of the Office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (OPDRRMO) and the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (OPSWDO) in strengthening the province’s disaster response capabilities.
“The OPDRRMO and OPSWDO made the best choice in strengthening disaster response by preparing responders to serve with compassion and competence.”
She added that effective disaster response goes beyond immediate action and rescue, highlighting the importance of listening, providing comfort, and restoring hope among affected individuals.
“Dahil ang tunay na responder ay hindi lang umaaksyon kundi nakikinig, umaalalay, at nagbibigay ng pag-asa.”
Through the training, members of the PDRRMC and emergency responders were prepared to provide not only immediate physical assistance but also compassionate support to people experiencing emotional and psychological distress during crises.
Meanwhile, Angelika Odio, Social Worker, underscored the importance of integrating psychosocial support into disaster response, particularly in helping affected individuals regain a sense of safety and stability following a crisis.
“As social workers and responders, we need to understand that every person responds to a disaster differently. Our role is to listen without judgment, provide comfort, and help them access the support and services they need.”
Odio added that PFA provides responders with practical tools that can be immediately applied when deployed to communities affected by calamities.
“This training reminds us that our presence can already make a difference. Sometimes, being there, listening, and making people feel that they are not alone can be the first step toward recovery.”
With the completion of the three-day training, participants are now better prepared to respond and deploy to communities during calamities, emergencies, and other crisis situations.
More than strengthening the technical capacity of disaster responders, the activity reinforces the commitment of the PDRRMC, Social Workers, and other emergency response partners to make psychosocial support an integral part of disaster response.
By strengthening the capacity of responders to provide compassionate and appropriate psychological support, South Cotabato continues to build a more responsive and people-centered disaster management system—one that helps affected individuals and families cope, recover, regain a sense of safety, and find hope after a crisis.
