Over 300 School Children Engaged in Disaster Prevention Program

More than 300 selected pupils from various public schools in Cebu participated in the Capitol’s school-based disaster risk-reduction program as part of its activities for this year’s National Disaster Resiliency Month.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) spearheaded the “Engaging Children in a School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Program” as part of its move to intensify disaster preparedness in Cebu province.

PDRRMO’s information and training officer Elviena Subang said that the program is in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) where DepEd’s Program Development Officers (PDO) assisted the PDRRMO in facilitating the sessions and in preparing the logistics in pilot schools.

Subang said they aim to actively engage children in Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (DRR-CCAM) activities through school risk assessment sessions to better understand their role in disaster preparedness.

She added that the program would provide a proper context for children in understanding the rights and responsibilities of a child in disaster times and children’s role in risk reduction.

Climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as risk assessment and hazard mapping in their respective areas are also included in the training, Subang said.

Selected pupils came from the elementary schools in cities of Bogo, Toledo, Naga, and Mandaue, and Cebu Province school divisions. These schools are located in the area identified as vulnerable to natural disasters.

Last July 6, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit Leyte province felt at intensity 3 in the cities of Bogo, Talisay and Cebu.

Senen P. Paulin, Schools Division Superintendent in the City of Naga Division, saw the need to consult children and enjoin them in activities that affect them.

“Children are one of the sectors that are most vulnerable when disaster strikes. Young as they are, they too have the rights to express and share their ideas and participate on matters affecting them. These rights are clearly stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC),” Paulin said.

PDRRMO, in response to Governor Hilario P. Davide III’s disaster risk mitigation agenda, has aligned all their programs in reducing vulnerability of Cebu communities from natural and human-induced disasters through continued and sustained assessments especially in high risk areas.

“I appreciated the efforts of Governor Davide for making use of PDRRMO as an instrument in reaching out to us, it is DepEd’s job to do this program but the Governor made it possible for us,” Paulin said.

Mark Lawrence R. Cantal, 11, shared what he learned during the two-day training.

“Napasabot mi sa amoang rights ug responsibilidad isip mga bata ug gipasabot mi sa climate change ug unsa amoang role isip bata sa disaster risk reduction,” Said Cantal, a grade VI class topnotcher from Balirong Elementary School.

Pupil from grades IV, V and VI level from five school divisions were mostly the participants of the seminar.

cebu.gov.ph