Kool Adventure Camp Promotes Disaster Response Principles During RESCYouth 2014

Clear communication, smart planning, decision making, resource mobilization, crisis management and collaboration – these are the principles on disaster response promoted in simulation activities during the Responsive, Empowered and Service-Centric Youth (RESCYouth) 2014 last November 6 to 7.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc – Kool Adventure Camp (RAFI-KAC) facilitated the simulation activities participated in by around 100 youth from different organizations that have existing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programs and projects in the Philippines.
“The simulation activities enabled us to have a more engaging learning. It was so real that we were really sweating. The principles behind each of the activity are really effective and important during DRR. But personally, being a responder, to be calm, prepared and proactive also really matter,” said Dionisio Macasait, vice-president of Javierians, a youth organization from Leyte, which was one of the areas hit the hardest by super typhoon Yolanda last year.

“The target of RESCYouth is equipping the youth with the skills and principles for disaster preparedness and situational awareness so we align by their objective in that way,” said Marie Sol Gonzalvo, RAFI-KAC deputy director for Youth Development Programs.

The simulation activities led by KAC was one of the highlight challenges during the two-day RESCYouth workshop led by the office of Senator Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino.

“To be empowered is the spirit we want to harness, spread and strengthen. If we work with each other, there is so much we can do for each other and for our fellow countrymen. This is our agenda in RESCYOUTH. We want to have this bigger and better annually to be a powerful network of young Filipinos who believe and make a difference,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Entrepreneurship.

“We hope RAFI will still be there to be our partner in the coming more RESCYouth summit,” he added.

Aside from the simulation activities, the two-day workshop enabled the youth participants to actively exchange ideas on best DRR practices, leading to the creation of new schemes that would enhance current DRR management program in different areas of the country.

Aside from Senator Aquino, other speakers during the workshop were Mayor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier of Javier, Leyte; Gawad Kalinga’s Mark Lawrence Cruz; Hapinoy Executive Director TJ Agulto; Voltaire Tupaz of Rappler’s MovePH; GMA Network’s Mario Urrutia III of Reporter’s Notebook and resident meteorologist Nathaniel “Ka Tani” Cruz.

The speakers discussed different topics, ranging from best practices of local government units during disasters, tapping the spirit of volunteerism during relief and rescue operations, and the role of media as information dissemination arm.

KAC has been offering leadership and team development adventure education programs for youth and professionals for the last decade. It is a program under the Leadership and Citizenship focus area of the RAFI. It has recently opened the Philippines’ first fully dedicated adventure education center last August 2 in Cansomoroy, Balamban, Cebu. For more information on KAC and its services, contact 260-9000 local 1001 and look for Althea May Santillan, or visit www.kac.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/kooladventurecamp.