Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan continues to enhance campus safety and emergency preparedness as its personnel completed the Incident Command System (ICS) Executive Course in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense–Northern Mindanao (OCD-10).
The training equips University leaders and safety personnel with a standardized system for managing emergencies, including fires, laboratory incidents, natural disasters, and “Planned Major Events.” It strengthens coordination, communication, and decision-making during critical situations.
The ICS Executive Course further prepares Administrators, Directors, and Officers to take on a more strategic advisory role within the University. Equipped with executive-level insights, they are better positioned to support leadership, including the University President and governing councils, in making informed decisions that align safety priorities with institutional objectives.
Batch 1
A total of 17 regular University employees completed the course, representing key offices such as Safety and Security, Physical Plant, SocDev, CISO, Health Services, and Basic Ed Academic units, along with XU Library and private security and service partners.
OCD-10 Regional Director Antonio B Sugarol underscored the significance of the ICS Executive course in enhancing leadership capacity in disaster response and the importance of ICS in ensuring “coordinated, efficient, and life-saving response during emergencies.”
Batch 2
Safety Officer Apollo M Bacas expressed gratitude to OCD-10 for its support, noting that the training strengthens institutional preparedness. While for Batch 2, SSIO Director and Chief Security Officer Mr Romulo C Hojas also delivered the impression “that ICS will be the main tool to be employed by the University in all “planned events and incident management.”
For his part, Xavier University Vice President for Administration Engr George M Abasolo highlighted that investing in ICS reinforces Xavier University’s commitment to protecting lives, ensuring operational continuity, and promoting a culture of safety and resilience across the campus.
This initiative is part of the University’s broader commitment to compliance with national and international safety frameworks, including Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards. As Xavier University continues to prioritize safety as a shared responsibility, the University calls on all stakeholders—students, faculty, staff, and partners—to actively participate in preparedness activities and support initiatives that promote a culture of safety and resilience across the campus.