ILOILO CITY — Some 40 senior citizens in this city underwent a one-day training on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) on Friday, which was mainly aimed at preparing them for calamities.
The training, led by the Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas (OCD-6), was attended by pesidents and members of the various federations of senior citizens in this city.
Melissa Banias, chief of the Capability Building Section of OCD-6, said the training mainly focused on the inputs of Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
Banias said that the training enhanced the knowledge and understanding of senior citizens on DRRM.
It also helped increase community- level support and participation in DRRM efforts.
Different topics were discussed such as weather hazards, hazard awareness, disaster preparedness and response, disaster rehabilitation and recovery, legal basis and key concepts on climate change, among others.
Speakers from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), among others, were invited to discuss the topics.
In line with the goal to achieve a safer, adaptive and resilient Filipino communities, Banias said that the training for the senior citizens is part of the OCD’s effort to provide DRRM training to the basic society sectors identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
Banias said that the senior citizens were really “active” and “participative” during the training.
“It seem like they did not feel tired.
Retired but not tired and we really feel that the spirit of volunteerism is still alive in them,” she said,
“In fact, they even suggested that they will form a prayer group and organize themselves so that in times of calamities, they will conduct prayer brigade in every district. They also signified that if ever we need their help, they are willing to be a volunteer in their own capacity as seniors,” she added.
Other sectors lined up to undergo a similar training are persons with disabilities, women, youth and students, farmers and landless workers, artisanal fisherfolks, cooperatives, and others. (PNA)
