Faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas conducted two batches of psychological first aid training organized by the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) last August 3 to 4 and 5 to 6, 2026 in Bacolod City.
Prof. Dr. Johnrev Guilaran of the Division of Social Sciences led the training team composed of Asst. Prof. Janelle Rose Tan and Ms Jezzebelle Baldo-Villanueva of the Division of Social Sciences, and Asst. Prof. Helen Grace Concepcion Fernandez of the Division of Professional Education.
Key personnel from the Negros Occ. PDRRMO, Province of Neg. Occ. Human Resource Development Office, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and disaster response personnel from various cities and municipalities in the province of Negros Occ. participated in the training.
Ms Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Negros Occ. PDRRMO, said the training aimed to address the need for disaster responders in the Province to be equipped with the knowledge and skills in providing psychological relief to survivors in the immediate aftermath of disasters and other emergencies, and the need for responders to also support each other during and after disasters response.
The PFA training is part of the Negros Occ. Provincial Government’s efforts to improve disaster response in the Province, to also include addressing the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of survivors and of disaster responders.
Write up: Dr Johnrev Guilaran
Photos: Negros Occ. PDRRMO
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