The Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) is currently conducting a three-day disaster risk reduction and management training and school rebuilding program in Borongan City that began today, Oct. 3.
Dubbed as ‘Maging Handa: Upskilling Disaster Responders,’ the disaster education program includes lectures on disaster management, disaster reporting and documentation, Filipino resilience, and mental health and psychosocial support interventions. Simulation activities are also held as the event aims to equip participants with skills to conduct a similar training in their respective communities.
To help in the rehabilitation of disaster-hit public schools, the AFI has chosen Brgy. San Gabriel to be the recipient of its ‘Balik Eskwela’ program. Construction materials for the roofing of the multipurpose hall, damaged by Typhoon Ruby in 2014, will be provided by the foundation. Storybooks will also be donated.
A visit to the San Gabriel Farmers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative will likewise be conducted to discuss the potential of its coco coir products.
Celerina Amores, senior director for corporate communications of the Ayala Foundation, explained why Borongan was chosen to be among the five LGU recipients of its Maging Handa initiative.
“Kasi Borongan is more often than not hit by natural disasters. And then we tried to get in touch with somebody here, whom we already know is Rupert Ambil, your information officer, and he explained the openness of the LGU to partner with private sector entities like us in projects that may help the place, especially so in the DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management),” said Amores.
Philippine flags will also be turned over to the city as part of the AFI’s Maging Magiting campaign that seeks to promote love of country.
Participants from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City of Borongan Search and Rescue Team, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, different departments from the Borongan City local government unit, Brgy. San Gabriel, Eastern Samar State University nursing and criminology students, and Eastern Samar Comprehensive National High School campus journalists will learn from disaster response expert Dr. Ted Esguerra, Wilderness Search and Rescue Philippines instructor Buboy Lagunday, Lieutenant Commander Carina Dayondon of the Philippine Coast Guard, World Health Organization consultant for mental health and psychosocial support Dr. Dinah Palmera Nadera and the Borongan City Information Office head Ruperto Ambil II.
The esteemed panel arrived at the Borongan City Airport yesterday together with Ayala Foundation officials led by Amores. They later paid a courtesy call on Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda at the Borongan City Hall.
Agda expressed his gratitude to the AFI and raised possible collaborations for projects on Borongan City’s forest land use and preservation that would benefit the people and the environment.
“Ayaw naming matulad sa Metro Manila na walang lungs. With the proper forest land use plan and urban planning, we look to create services and aim for the continuity of the program with the presence of partners like you so that whoever mayor comes after me may sustain it. Ang advocacy ninyo, napakagaling,” Agda told the Ayala Foundation team.
“Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa inyo. Napakahalaga, malaking bagay, the mere fact na binisita ninyo ang lugar namin. How much more if we have projects together,” added Agda.
The AFI team expressed its appreciation for Agda’s candidness and dynamism in governance. Amores said that the foundation “would not promise anything grand” but it would “try to explore” areas where it could help.
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