ILOILO CITY — A coastal municipality from the southern part of Iloilo is eyeing to institutionalize disaster preparedness in all its centers for early learning.
This was revealed Monday by Guimbal town Vice Mayor Christy Love Margarico after the Barangay Nalundan Day Care Center was awarded as best early learning center during the 20th Gawad Kalasag (Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) regional awards given by the Office of the Civil Defense 6 (OCD 6) held in this city last week.
She added that they are studying to include it in their “Alisto Pamilya” program that was conceptualized during the time of former mayor and now Iloilo Vice Governor Christine Garin. She said they plan to push an ordinance at the barangay level.
Margarico said the Barangay Nalundan Day Care Center has been a recipient of trainings provided by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC).
“Our MDRRMC is well-equipped,” she said. The same training is also extended to parents of day care pupils and their barangay officials.
Barangay Nalundan, she said, is prone to storm surges because it is situated in a coastal area and at the same time landslide-prone because it has some hilly parts.
The Nalundan Day Care Center caters to children three to four years old. At present, it has 41 enrollees, according to day care teacher Ma. Erna Garferio.
Day care pupils undergo earthquake drill, likewise learn basic traffic rules, such as what the traffic lights mean. Also, they are taught proper hand hand-washing and waste segregation, Garferio said.
Under the “Alisto Campaign”, she said the children are taught about preparing for calamity.
Garferio said they expect the children to remember and apply everything they learn when they grow older.
She admitted that it is difficult to teach small kids, but with patience, she is able to help them understand and practice what they are being taught.
“The teacher serves as a model,” she also said.
Garferio added that they are still thinking of how to make good use of their PHP50,000 cash prize. But first, they will have the door of their classroom repaired and buy a ceiling fan, she said.
“We will plan out if what is best for the day care,” the teacher added. (Perla Lena/PNA)
