Seminar on Disaster Awareness and Preparedness

ASP Laguna Chapter conducted a free echo seminar entitled “Preparing Families of Children with Disabilities for Disasters” atthe Los Baños Community Center last 3 December 2014, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It was attended by 31 participants, composed of parents, grandparents, and teachers from Calamba, Liliw, Paete and the different barangays of Los Baños.

The first part emphasized on the slogan “Ligtas ang May Alam” presented by Ms. Veronica
Chavez, ASP Laguna Treasurer and a certificate holder of the DZMM’s “Red Alert,” a
radio program that deals with disaster preparedness. It aims to inform the participants on
Disaster Risk Reduction Management, the rainfall codes, storm signals, the early warning
systems in their barangays, the involvement of the person/s concerned and the facilities that
local government units utilize during disasters. Ms. Chavez was joined by another speaker,
Amorlina Cotoner, an officer of the Los Baños Association of Parents of Children with
Disabilities, Inc. (LBAPCDI).

The second part focused on the slogan “Ligtas ang Handa,” which was about teaching
the parents how to plan with the family and the community and preparing the emergency
survival kit.

Ms. Cynthia Quintans leading the prayer

The ASP Laguna is grateful as three representatives from the local government of Los
Baños came. They are: Ms. Cynthia N. Quintans, officer in-charge Municipal Disaster
Risk Reduction Management (MDRRM); Mr. Martin Q. Imatong, DRRM consultant and
Kjiel D. Hugo, “little” MDRRM volunteer. We acknowledge Ms. Cynthia for bringing the
large geo-hazard map, which was used by the first speaker during her presentation. Her
contribution help illustrate places and communities in Laguna that are likely to be affected
by disasters, particularly Los Baños. The flyer, brought by Ms. Quintans, was distributed
after the presentation. Likewise, with Mr. Imatong for the hard copy of the geo-hazard map
which is very essential for future use.

As the third speaker, Mr. Imatong shared with the participants the measures of local
government units concerning preparedness. He discussed the NDRRM framework and the
right agencies to contact (DOST for disaster prevention and mitigation, DILG for disaster
preparedness, Local Fire Bureau or Local Police Force or volunteers or DSWD for disaster
response, NEDA for disaster rehabilitation and recovery). He emphasized on disaster
readiness as compared to disaster preparedness.

About the Author: Ms. Catherine L. Lopez obtained her Bachelor of Elementary Education, Major in Special Education at San Pablo Colleges and her Master of Arts in Education, Major in Special Education at Jose Rizal University. She is the Job Coach for the office and messenger services of Autism Resource Center. She also serves as the President of ASP Laguna Chapter and cluster head for ASP chapters in South Luzon. She is a mother of a young adult with autism who graduated from UP Los Baños in 2017.

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