Philippines: Disaster risk reduction in school continues its journey

By Jonavieve Mae Otero-LCTMNHS DRR & CCA Coordinator

San Francisco, Cebu, Philippines - Amidst crisis and calamities that struck the different parts of the world including the diminutive islands of Camotes. The Local Government of San Francisco with the strong partnership of the Department of Education continues its journey in educating the little ones on the implication of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in schools. The 3rd Year Round of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction – Battle of the Brain, Talents and Skills was launched last August 12 – 13, 2014 at Santiago Beach Resort, Santiago, San Francisco, Cebu in which different competitions were highlighted and education campaign was integrated. This activity is in line in preparation for the forthcoming celebration for the International Disaster Risk Reduction Day on October 13, 2014 by showcasing children and youth as successful DRR advocators.

Participants to the said competition and training as well were the schools Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers with their advisers and was facilitated by the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office headed by Mrs. Rosalinda C. Serion - LDRRMO. The six (6) secondary schools of San Francisco, 5 public and 1 private had created their officers to lead the DRR activities in school. This activity is a training ground for the students to be our future leaders - teaching them to embrace and adopt the changes happening around.

This year activity designed focused on the application of knowledge from their respective teachers where children were given tasked to do actual community risk assessment, produce hazard map and how to conduct proper earthquake drill in the school. Oral quiz bee was added to this year event. Important accomplishment done by the children was the election of Red Cross Youth Officers on secondary level.

At the end of the Two Day activity, though lessons were learned but outstanding participants should also be recognized. For three consecutive years the secondary school of Lorenzo C. Tanza Memorial National High School in Union, San Francisco, Cebu headed by Mr. Romeo N. Formentera – Principal II with Mrs. Jonavieve Mae C. Otero – Adviser and Mr. Joshua Russel S. Bensig – LCT Disaster Risk Reduction and Management President has been declared once again as the “GRAND CHAMPION” on the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction – Battle of the Brain, Talents and Skills is now it’s three year program under Child-Focused DRR & CCA implemented by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office (MDRRMO).

The journey should never stop not even a break, for the battle in saving the world never ends. Our future leaders are on their way but still they need the guidance of the mature. Let the battle in saving the mother earth continue, help the youngsters in taking the lead!