EDC- BacMan trains host communities in disaster risk reduction

By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, NOVEMBER 17 (PIA)….. A total of 2,500 participants from the 5 schools of the host communities of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) here underwent a training on disaster risk reduction early last week to provide them the better preparation should there be natural calamities like typhoons and earthquakes.

According to Eduardo Jimenez, Senior Supervisor of the Community Partnerships Department CPD) of EDC, the school – based disaster risk reduction orientation activity were participated in by Tublijon Elementary School, Gayong Elementary School, Sto Nino Elementary and High Schoosl, and  Osiao Paglingap High School.

The activity was conducted with the team up of ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya Inc., EDC BacMan Safety Management Division, EDC Corporate Social Responsibility Department, Sorsogon City Department of Education and Sorsogon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Participants from the two barangays here that can only be reach via sea travel, Osiao and Sto Nino were taught on the use and importance of a  life jacket when traveling at sea.

The local government has also issued a directive to all motor banca owners used as passenger vessel to have the necessary life jackets to be used by their passengers.

Meanwhile Marsha Alvarado of the EDC- CSR department explained to the participants the emergency preparedness tips contained in the poster calendar prepared by the company and were distributed to the schools, houses in the host communities after the training.

Volunteers from the Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines delighted the pupils and students with their amusing stories emphasizing the importance of disaster risk reduction preparedness during earthquakes and typhoons.

According to Jimenez, this activity is part of their company’s CSP program to enhance the knowledge and know-how of these local communities especially now that natural calamities have been one of the significant concerns here in the province and making communities aware of risk reduction.

According to Jimenez, EDc is committed to assist in providing information and training needs of these host communities and particularly to equip them with this timely training since Sorsogon is most frequented by typhoons.

He also emphasized that taking care of the environment is one of the key component in DRR significantly the planting of trees and avoiding illegal activities like cutting of trees, one of the reasons  why some areas experience flooding and landslides.

The training acording to Jimenez has been successful that Barangay Emergency Response Teams (BERTs) have been organized after the three-day training with a composite structure and lists of volunteers coming from the barangays now trained and well equipped. (PIA-SORSOGON)