Philippines: German Red Cross supports PRC Benguet on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation

La Trinidad, Benguet - The German Red Cross (GRC) committed to support the Philippine Red Cross(PRC)- Benguet in the advocacy on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in the province.

The three-year project dubbed “PRC-GRC in partnership with the Germany Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation” had it soft launching last February 7 after the monthly board meeting of Red Cross La Trinidad Chapter, according to PRC Benguet Administrator Oscar Paris.

German Red Cross representative Nikola Angelovski who graced the launching encouraged the Benguet Chapter to own the project which is the only way that their assistance could be truly realized.

With a total budget of EUR600,000 , the project which also covers Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Ifugao aside from Benguet, comes as an aid to empower communities and government institutions to replicate and consolidate inclusive community-based disaster risk reduction in the four provinces for the period 2014 to 2017.

For Benguet, recipients are three municipalities namely, Bakun, La Trinidad and Sablan covering 77 elementary schools and 12 secondary schools.

To formalize the project at the local level, a memorandum of agreement between the PRC, local government unit, Department of Education and provincial government will be forged with the said LGUs and agency involved in carrying out the project.

Paris said the project will strengthen linkages between PRC, civil society organizations, government, academe and technical institutions which makes DRR/CCA dissemination more effective.

PRC crafted its DRR management plans which incorporate basic health and hygiene promotions, first aid and road safety as well as school mobilization, baseline survey and hazard capacity vulnerability assessment.

Curricular and extra-curricular activities mainstreaming disability and gender approach including networking with government bodies that will link schools and community will also be undertaken.

Reinforced campaigns, awareness raising activities on the effects of climate change will also be implemented. (JDP/SCA- PIA)