MINALIN, Pampanga –The international organization Save the Children (STC) recently conducted a three-day capacity building training on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) for 50 officials and residents belonging to “atrisk barangays” here.
The activity was meant to orient attendees on “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,” STC communications officer for emergencies Jerome Balinton said.
The participants came from barangays Sta. Rita, Sta. Catalina, San Pedro and San Francisco I, the four villages identifi ed as prone to severe flooding which is the main environmental hazard in this bucolic town.
“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,” Balinton said.
“Building the capacity of local officials and community on DRRM is one key element in saving lives because they are the people directly making decisions and implementing the DRRM activities,” STC Philippines Country Director Ned Olney stressed.
