To preserve continuity of operations amidst disrupting incidents, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) conducted an orientation on April 29, 2022 via Zoom Teleconference to build awareness among the Regional Office personnel on the salient features of the Public Service Continuity Plan (PSCP) of DILG-NCR.

In her opening message, Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin underscored the importance of the PSCP in times of emergencies or crises. “Mahalagang alamin ang nilalaman ng ating PSCP para maitanim sa puso’t isipan ng bawat isa ang kanyang gagampanan na tungkulin ‘pag nagkaroon ng pagkagambala o disaster na maaring makapagpatigil sa ating operasyon. Ang plano na ito ang magsisilbing basehan kung paano mabilis na makaka-recover ang ating opisina sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng batayan na susundin upang maipagpatuloy natin ang ating mandato,” RD Agustin said.

Spearheaded by the PSCP core team, the orientation aims to institutionalize and embed the procedures to be followed and the mechanisms to be employed by the Regional Office to reduce the impact of adverse events and minimize operational losses.

Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) Chief Helen Verzosa provided an overview of the PSCP – placing emphasis on the critical importance of the contingency plan during recovery operations.

The PSCP is the first such plan developed for DILG-NCR. It was put together by a reorganized team from the different operating units in the Regional Office, the members of which were officially introduced by Finance and Administrative Division (FAD) Chief Ana Jury Castillo.

The highlight of the activity was the discussion on the content of the PSCP. SAO Edgar Pacano, Jr., LGOO V Maria Jasmin Diaz and LGOO III Nonel Jay Terez presented the key features of the plan, which included among others, the essential functions to be maintained, the criteria for activation and deactivation of the plan or parts thereof, the lines of succession to be followed and procedures for the delegation of authority.

Following the discussions, LGOO V Diaz presented the team’s activities and plan of action for the year 2022, i.e. the conduct of simulation exercises and the updating of the PSCP.

In closing, FAD Chief Castillo extended her sincerest gratitude to the Regional Office personnel for their active participation during the orientation. “I hope you all saw the value and significance of the PSCP through this orientation. Again, I would just like to emphasize that commitment starts from understanding.”