MINALIN -- A three-day training on Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) was conducted by the international organization Save the Children (STC) for 50 officials and residents of this town.
STC Communications Officer Jerome Balinton said the activity was about climate change and global warming, hazards affecting Central Luzon, how to cope with the impact of hazards, getting to know vulnerable population groups in the communities, what can be done at the community level to mitigate and cope with the impact of disasters, identifying strategic activities to build resilience of families and communities to disasters and climate change, and preparedness planning at the family level.
“Apart from this, the training was meant to be a tool for those who took part to train and form a group in their respective barangays that can lead the community in times of emergencies,” he added.
Participants in the said capacity building and training came from the four most hazardous and flood-prone barangays in Minalin, namely Sta. Rita, Sta. Catalina, San Pedro, and San Francisco I.
STC Philippines Country Director Ned Olney was also present in the event. He said that building the capacity of local officials and communities on DRRM is one key element in saving lives because they are the people directly making decisions and implementing the disaster response activities.