Rama wants disaster preparedness subject in school curriculum

CEBU, Philippines - To equip children on disaster preparedness, the Department of Education-Cebu City should include the subject in the curriculum in elementary and high school, said Mayor Michael Rama.

Rama said he learned during the United Nations World Conference on disaster risk reduction in Japan that children act as disaster preparedness ambassadors.

“Children and students were the one leading the elders in the evacuation center,” said Rama, referring to the children in Japan.

He said that information, education, and communication before, during, and after any disaster should involve everyone in the community.

Children, as early as now, should undergo trainings and seminars on the preparations for calamities and disasters, which may come anytime, Rama added.

 “The subject matter should allow the students to be equipped, to learn about preventive measures, preparedness and response,” said Rama, adding “but not necessarily on recovery because it is being done by the elders.”

The mayor said he could not afford the worst-case scenario to happen when a disaster comes and the children are not equipped.

Recalling the strong earthquake that jolted Cebu and Bohol in October 2013, Rama said the two provinces were still lucky they were spared from further damage since it was a holiday.

“Kay kon wala pa to’y holiday, we could have been catching children,” he said.

The mayor wants the matter inserted in the curriculum as soon as possible.

“Kon pwede ma-insert karon, nganong dili? Unsa pa man atong huwaton nga disaster will come,” he said.

Rama said he has also directed DepEd-Cebu City for the inclusion of the “Know your barangay month” every November of the year.

The program aims to expose grades 1 to 4 pupils on the processes made in the barangay, while those in grade 5 and 6 will observe and perform mac-barangay session.

“Community-oriented children of today are responsive leaders of tomorrow,” the mayor stressed. —NSA (FREEMAN)