CMDI organizes National Disaster Preparedness Orientation and Workshop
In observance of the National Disaster Consciousness month, CARD-MRI Development Institute, Inc. Tagum City Campus organized an orientation and workshop on disaster preparedness on July 10, 2019 at its gymnasium with this year’s theme, “Kahandaan sa Sakuna’t Peligro Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago”.
A total of 72 student officers from 23 sections of senior high school and college attended the orientation. The role of these young leaders is recognized by the campus management as an important aid in extending assistance to other students in times of disaster; making them the primary participants of this activity.
Spearheaded by the Office of Student Affairs and Services, they invited the Tagum City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office including the 71st Infantry Battalion and Joint Task Force.
Mr. Jules Earl L. Gazmen, Early Warning System Officer of CDRRMO Tagum, explained to the students the disaster preparedness guidelines during earthquakes and floods, which includes topics on what to do to prevent further damage. He oriented the students about the Philippine fault lines and showed how our country has been part of the hazard-prone areas.
Sgt. Rodulfo M. Alambat of the 71st Infantry Battalion of Mawab also discussed the immediate actions and plans during bomb threats and how to counter bomb incidents. He also shared a bomb threat checklist and provided important facts about improvised explosive devices (IED) and terrorism.
The participants got more excited when Juliet, one of the K9s of Task Force Tagum was introduced. All students were impressed with the dog’s intelligence and skills shown in the demonstration.
The students participated actively in the discussion and asked clarifications especially on the notions about explosive devices they see in movies and television. The queries were appreciated by Sgt. Alambat as they were able to correct these wrong perceptions.
July is the National Disaster Resilience Month and the Department of Education is tasked to implement programs based on the Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Education Framework to “protect learners and education workers from death, injury, and harm in schools; plan for educational continuity in the face of expected hazards and threats; and strengthen risk reduction and resilience through education.”
Contributed by: Mark Gil Sabay