Philippines: Information, education enhance disaster preparedness in schools, says OCD

When you talk of disaster preparedness and risk reduction in schools, you are actually talking about timely and consistent information, education campaigns being undertaken.

Civil Defense 6 Director Rosario Cabrera told the more than 300 campus paper writers in Western Visayas that they are information channels to reduce disaster risks in schools and to help their fellow students in learning more about disaster management.

Cabrera said the schools can no longer disregard disaster preparedness because these institutions are vulnerable to adverse impacts of disasters, like typhoons, earthquakes, landslides, and flooding, as well as El Nino.

She said the government is encouraging earthquake drills, disaster preparedness planning and trainings so that the community, including schools and institutions are well informed and are asked to become active participants in disaster risk reduction program.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is included as an input in the modules of the Campus Journalism Seminar-Workshop conducted by the Philippine Information Agency 6, as part of the Aquino administration's directive for relentless and vigorous pursuit of civil defense and disaster duties.

PIA Director Janet Mesa said the campus paper writers are also government partners in the promotion and implementation of DRR.