PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO HOLDS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS ECHO TRAINING
Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer addresses the personnel of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco and its attached agencies during the Disaster Preparedness Echo Training (SFPCG photo)
San Francisco, CA – In observance of “National Preparedness Month” in the United States, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco conducted an echo training on disaster readiness on 23 September 2025. The activity followed the 2025 Regional Disaster Ready Summit held on 28 August 2025 in San Jose, California, which was attended by Post representatives.
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer highlighted the importance of preparedness and having the necessary plans, tools, and resources to withstand, respond to, and recover from disasters, especially in the Bay Area, which is vulnerable to earthquakes, storms, tsunamis, and wildfires. “Disaster preparedness can save lives, reduce property damage, and strengthen community resilience,” the Consul General emphasized.
The echo training is a combination of informative sessions and interactive activities, making the session more engaging and effective in reinforcing disaster readiness measures. Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes started the session with an overview that aimed to encourage Post’s personnel to come up with their own emergency plans for themselves and their families. She also facilitated the first activity, “The Price is Right” game, which promoted the need to have a “GO bag” that contains emergency supplies that can help in the event emergency responders are not able to immediately provide assistance.
The Decision Arc Presentation conducted by Security Officer Marc O’Bryan Asilom provided a glimpse into the decision-making process that a person undergoes when one is faced with a disaster scenario. The three phases consist of denial, deliberation, and finally, decision. The session underscored that while different personalities may have differences in their deliberation processes, preparation ahead of any disaster can facilitate one’s decision making process.
Political Assistant Lalaine Bacha facilitated the activity on discovering one’s “Disaster Personality”, which was intended to provide Post’s personnel with an overview of the different disaster-ready personalities, and how these influence the decision-making process of a person, which in turn affect group decisions. Consul Marc Theodore P. Benigno facilitated the other activities that promoted the need to be prepared for any disaster, such as “Scavenger Hunt”, which encouraged getting to know more about one’s neighbors or co-participants, and “2 Truths and a Lie”, which aim to reinforce the disaster preparedness measures of Post’s personnel.
The echo training utilized training kits provided by Listos California during its Disaster Ready Summit.END
Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes provided an overview of the session and facilitated the first interactive activity during the Disaster Preparedness Echo Training (SFPCG photo)
Security Officer Marc O’Bryan Asilom discusses the decision-making process in a Decision Arc while Political Assistant Lalaine Bacha talks about the different disaster-ready personalities. (SFPCG photo)
The winners in the “Two Truths and a Lie” activity facilitated by Consul Marc Theodore P. Benigno (SFPCG Photo)