From 25 to 27 July 2023, the fourth Get Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD) Program was successfully conducted at Laguindingan Airport through a collaborative effort between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), DHL Group, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The GARD Program is a globally recognized public-private partnership initiative designed to empower airports in preparing for their crucial role as logistical hubs during natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, fires, and landslides. Additionally, the program emphasizes the integration of airports into national emergency plans.
The inaugural GARD Program was introduced in the Philippines in 2013 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City, followed by subsequent workshops at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in 2014 and Clark International Airport (CRK) in 2022.
“CAAP is very proud and grateful to have Laguindingan Airport be the first CAAP airport to hold the workshop. CAAP has been coordinating with DHL on this workshop since 2016. Now, more than ever, we see the ever-growing importance of strengthening our airports’ resilience to disasters. Our airports serve as gateways crucial to the delivery of people, goods, and services, especially during emergencies and natural disasters. In the future, we hope that exercises such as GARD can be echoed to other CAAP-operated airports around the country as well,” according to Captain Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo, CAAP Director General.
Over the course of three days, twenty participants from various units of Laguindingan Airport and related agencies actively engaged in the workshop. They received comprehensive training in GARD methodologies, ranging from identifying and resolving logistical challenges during disaster scenarios to conducting airport assessments and compiling reports. The event culminated in a constructive discussion among the collaborating partners and CAAP, exploring future prospects.
Since its establishment in 2009, GARD has been instrumental in advocating for airport preparedness and response capabilities worldwide. It operates in 60 airports across 28 countries, providing training for personnel to effectively handle the inflow of goods and people during calamities. Additionally, GARD supports local authorities in conducting relief operations and evaluating the current state of concerned airports.
“In catastrophic events, airports play a significant role as a logistics hub for critical life-saving supplies, materials and for search and rescue personnel. The Get Airports Ready for Disaster program targets to assess the readiness of airports for such events. UNDP will continue to work with PDRF, CAAP, and DHL so that we may roll out this initiative in other airports around the Philippines,” said Dr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Philippines Resident Representative.
Through the joint efforts of UNDP, DHL Group, PDRF, and CAAP, the successful completion of the fourth GARD Program at Laguindingan Airport marks another milestone in bolstering disaster resilience within the Philippine aviation sector. As airports continue to play a crucial role during emergencies, this global partnership strives to ensure that transportation hubs are well-equipped to respond efficiently to unforeseen challenges, safeguarding the safety and well-being of the public.