19 HEIs join 3rd cohort of CHED crisis mgmt training at MMSU
By Stephanie Camille Ilar
Nineteen higher education institutions joined the third cohort of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) crisis management training on January 29-31 at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) Center for Flexible Learning.
The training aims to help higher education institutions prepare for, respond to, and recover from different crises and emergencies on campus.
Retired Col. Nicanor “Nick” Salvador, project technical adviser, said SUCs are complex institutions with many stakeholders, making crisis preparedness important to ensure safety and the continued delivery of academic services.
The activity is conducted in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). It seeks to standardize crisis and incident response systems among college institutions across the country.
To allow focused discussions, participants were divided into two groups for the first two days of training. Sessions included lectures and scenario-based exercises on the Incident Command System (ICS).
Ms. Virginia Pablo opened the training with an overview of the ICS. Atty. Glaiza Bernadeth Pinto-Tadeo, Regional Director of the National Commission of Senior Citizens Region 1, discussed the introduction to ICS and common responsibilities.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan presented sessions on ICS organization, staffing, and managing major incidents, while DSWD Disaster Response Management Division Chief Maricel Calleja discussed ICS facilities.
PMSg Samuel Agcaoili, Jr., chief investigator of the Batac Police Station, led a session on hostage negotiation. PLt. Mark Jhosen Macaspac, team leader of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Cyber Response Team, discussed countering digital bomb threats in schools.
On the third day, participants will attend lectures on bomb awareness, take part in practical exercises, and join an open forum led by the Ilocos Norte Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit.
The program is part of a nationwide initiative launched by CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis as the commission shows strong concern for the safety and security of higher education institutions across the country. CHED Commissioner Ricmar Aquino serves as the oversight commissioner for the training.
The MMSU training is the third in a series of CHED-led crisis management programs. The first cohort was held on December 6-8, followed by the second on January 15-17. A fourth cohort is scheduled on February 3-5.
Through this continuing program, CHED aims to help build safer, more prepared, and more resilient campuses nationwide.
Jan, 31, 2026 12:18:pm
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STRATCOM
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