City Veterinarian of Kidapawan visits SOXAARRDEC
March 26, 2026
Six participants from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) are now certified volunteer responders after passing the qualifying examination during the Disaster Mitigation Preparedness and Response (DMPR) Training Seminar conducted by the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP).
Prof. Cristopher A. Benito, Prof. Jay M. Navaluna, Prof. Prof. Alvin John R. Villanueva, Prof. Ebrahim A. Omar, Prof. Kathleen Mae B. Alucilja, and Engr. Garry Kieth F. Escucha, completed the two-day training on February 26–27, 2026 at the East Asia Royal Hotel , General Santos City.
The training included lectures on disaster risk reduction, infrastructure assessment, and post-earthquake damage evaluation, conducted by ASEP engineers and experts such as Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta, Engr. Ronaldo S. Ison, and Engr. Juanito D. Cunanan.
Participants also joined case discussions and a rapid evaluation exercise before taking the qualifying exam, where they applied inspection procedures and assessment methods discussed during the sessions.
According to the team, they gained knowledge in identifying structural damage, conducting rapid and detailed building assessments, and preparing standard reports for disaster response operations.
With the certification, the participants may assist in structural assessment and disaster response operations.
