The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is urging private security personnel to take active roles in disaster preparedness, recognizing them as key partners in building nationwide resilience. OCD chief Ariel Nepomuceno made the call during ASIS International’s 50th-anniversary event in Manila.
Nepomuceno said every guard post should double as a disaster response hub, with security officers acting as “force multipliers” during emergencies. He emphasized their strategic presence in malls, schools, hotels, and residential areas.
With the Philippines ranked as the world’s most disaster-prone country, he outlined a three-pronged approach: engineering solutions, regular drills, and stronger response capabilities. Rex Espiritu
He also encouraged guards to lead inspections, drills, and emergency evacuations, even at home, saying preparedness starts within local communities and families.
Nepomuceno announced a 10-hectare training center in Clark and called for formal partnerships between the private security industry and OCD to boost training, resource sharing, and coordination.
