The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, in partnership with the Municipality of Medellin and CVISNET Foundation, Inc., successfully conducted a four-day Hands-on Training on the Barangay e-System & Tools (BeST) from May 5 to 8, 2026, under the Cebu Community Action and Resilience Emergency System (Cebu CARES) initiative. The activity aimed to strengthen barangay-to-provincial-level data management, disaster preparedness, and digital governance through practical, technology-driven solutions to support smarter, more resilient communities.

The training was conducted in two batches and brought together participants from all 19 barangays of the Municipality of Medellin together with representatives from the LGU Medellin Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). The first batch, held from May 5 to 6, included participants from Lamintak Sur, Dayhagon, Luy-a, Poblacion, Caputatan Sur, Caputatan Norte, Maharuhay, Kawit, and Daanlungsod. The second batch, conducted from May 7 to 8, included participants from Antipolo, Curva, Canhabagat, Tindog, Gibitngil, Mahawak, Panugnawan, Lamintak Norte, Dalingding Sur, and Don Virgilio Gonzales.

The program formally opened with messages from Hon. Edwin L. Salimbangon, Municipal Mayor of Medellin, and Ms. Elviena O. Subang, LDRRM Officer III of Cebu PDRRMO, who both highlighted the importance of digital transformation, efficient data management, and technology- enabled governance in strengthening disaster resilience and improving public service delivery at the community level.

Participants were introduced to the Cebu CARES platform by Dr. Roslyn D. Tambago, while Mr. Jeffrey N. Llanto presented the overview and objectives of the BeST Training. The training proper was led by the CVISNET technical team, headed by Mr. Kenneth Santiañez and Mr. Andrei Ruiz, with active facilitation from the CVISNET staff throughout the four-day activity.

The hands-on sessions focused on BeST equipment testing, system orientation, and practical exercises using the cloud-based BeST Web Application and the BeST Collect Mobile App. Barangay representatives learned how to configure barangay profiles and logins, manage sitio and purok records, create and update user profiles, encode household and resident information, and input barangay evacuation center data into the system. Participants also conducted offline field data collection exercises using the BeST Collect Mobile App, enabling them to experience the actual workflow for community-based data gathering, synchronization, and management.

Additional sessions focused on data updating and synchronization, as well as the generation of reports, templates, and resident profiles, including the use of ABAi prompts and document printing features. Participants were likewise introduced to other components of the BeST platform, including the Disaster Information System for Communities (DISC) and the ABAi Assistant, which further enhanced their understanding of digital governance tools, AI-assisted services, and disaster response systems integrated within the BeST platform.

Each training day resumed with interactive recap activities facilitated by Mr. Telesforo Laplana to reinforce key learnings and concepts discussed during the sessions. A demonstration on LGU-wide integration of barangay data further showcased how centralized and real-time information systems can support more efficient planning, inter-barangay coordination, and emergency response operations across the municipality.

The activity also included open discussions and feedback-sharing sessions among Cebu PDRRMO, LGU Medellin MDRRMO personnel, barangay representatives, and CVISNET Foundation. Stakeholders discussed the next phases of implementation, including the update of the BeST system and its actual deployment, community-based data gathering activities, and the strengthening of coordination mechanisms through digital platforms.

The successful completion of the four-day BeST training marked a significant milestone in the continuing implementation of the Cebu CARES initiative in the Municipality of Medellin. Through the collaborative efforts of Cebu PDRRMO, LGU Medellin, and CVISNET Foundation, Inc., barangay personnel and local stakeholders are now better equipped with the essential digital tools and technical skills needed for efficient governance, accurate data management, and improved disaster preparedness and response.

The participation of all 19 barangays further reflects Medellin’s strong commitment to building smarter, technology-enabled, and resilient communities capable of responding effectively to future challenges and emergencies through innovation, collaboration, and data-driven governance.