07/10/2026
𝐍𝐂𝐑 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐂𝐒 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐜𝐮𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞
Aiming to advance and strengthen Incident Command System (ICS) implementation in the Philippines, the Office of Civil Defense National Capital Region (OCD NCR) participated in the 2026 National Incident Command System Summit (NICSS) alongside the NCR delegation on 1-2 October 2026 at the Heritage Hotel Manila, Pasay City.
Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary for Administration Usec. Gavin D Edjawan graced the event, together with OCD Administrator Usec. Harold N Cabreros, emphasizing in the importance of sharing best practices, advancing competencies, and continued commitment to ICS application. All OCD Regional Offices attended the summit including key NGAs, Private Sector organizations, and the United States Forest Service.
OCD NCR Regional Director George F Keyser led the NCR delegation to the summit together with Mr. Bryant Meryll Ruiz Q. Wong, Head of the Pasig City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) and President of NCR Leagues of Local DRRMOs; Ms. Karla Minorka M. Aldea and Mr. Kenneth Rey F. Hong of OCD NCR; Mr. Robert Kennedy A. Urcia of the Makati City DRRMO; Mr. Jonel A. Tuñacao of the Manila City DRRMD; and Mr. Jester Wong of the Association of Philippine Volunteer Fire Brigades Inc. Participants witnessed several presentations on ICS implementation in planned events and disasters and also shared insights during the breakout sessions.
Prior to the summit, Ms. Aldea and Mr. Hong of OCD NCR also participated in the ICS Refresher Course held on 28-29 September 2026, at the same venue. The refresher course provided an opportunity for ICS practitioners to revisit core principles, strengthen their knowledge and skills, and align their practices with the established standards for ICS implementation.
The 2026 NICSS and the preceding Refresher Course served as important platforms for strengthening the standardization, competency, quality assurance, and operational effectiveness of ICS training and implementation in the Philippines. These activities also fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing among ICS Cadres and Instructors, and DRRM practitioners nationwide.
Through continuous capacity-building and the harmonization of ICS practices, the OCD NCR remains committed to supporting a more coordinated, organized, and effective emergency and disaster response system for the country.