Capitol Partners with Japan-Based NGO to Promote Disaster Readiness in Schools
The Cebu Provincial Government sealed a partnership with a Japan-based non-profit organization to promote disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) in 10 schools division of Cebu Province.
Gov. Hilario P. Davide III, in behalf of the Cebu Provincial Government, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SEEDS Asia at the Governor’s Office conference room on Monday, Oct. 8.
Philippine country representative Yo Kunieda signed the MOU in behalf of SEEDS Asia.
It was witnessed by Cebu Provincial DDRRM Officer Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. and SEEDS Asia local project manager Rosilyn Sanchez.
SEEDS Asia’s vision is to improve the environment and strengthen communities facing natural disasters. It aims to ensure sustainable development and security of people and the communities in the Asia and Pacific Region through its projects and activities.
Based on the MOU, SEEDS Asia and Capitol will “provide support for the establishment of mutual collaborative relationship towards the shared goal of strengthened disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery/rehabilitation of selected pilot schools within Cebu Province.”
The project’s long-term goal is to increase the capacity of schools on disaster risk reduction and management to ensure the learner’s safety.
“The purpose of this memorandum of understanding is to provide the framework in establishing a collaborative relationship regarding the project between SEEDS Asia and LGU-Cebu Province,” a part of the MOU read.
One of SEEDS Asia’s responsibilities is to provide capacity building activities for the Department of Education (DepEd) DRRM coordinators and DepEd 7, specifically to the 10 schools division, namely, the cities of Cebu, Bogo, Danao, Carcar, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay and Toledo and Cebu Province.
PDRRM Office assistant head Jenefer “Totch” Dela Cruz said each school will make their own customized operations manual on disaster response because every school has different hazard and risks.
“The task of the Cebu Province is to provide technical assistance to SEEDS Asia and to the project. Ang atong partnership dinhi is that when it comes to ensuring the inputs provided ngadto sa eskwelahan are aligned with our national standards, sa atong national law basi sa RA 10121 (or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) ,” said Dela Cruz.
Before the signing of the MOU, Dela Cruz said this project was also launched in 10 pilot schools of which they were able to produce learning materials on how to teach DRRM to the children.
“Ato ani learning of the best practices of these 10 divisions. We expect that from there, we will scale it up all throughout the province,” he added. (Cebu Provincial Government)
