by Sean Jared R. Lastimoso
The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
of Xavier University under the Philippine Air Force conducted a disaster risk
management training at the Science Center last July 14. The activity aimed to further
prepare XU ROTC cadets in responding to disasters.
Ssg. Eric S. Corpuz of the 505th
Search and Rescue Group from the Philippine Air Force demonstrated the basic
skills in search and rescue, while the Regional Center for Expertise (RCE) provided
the modules on Disaster Risk Management used during the training.
RCE Director Fr. Eric G. Velandria
S.J., said that the modules were designed to
fill the gaps in disaster response noted
from last year’s experience of typhoon Sendong, which claimed over a thousand lives. He also said that
since the ROTC was the front-liner during XU’s Tabang Sendong relief operations,
it would be best to equip the cadets with basics skills in disaster risk
management.
The said training was just the first
of a series of modules developed by the RCE in line with its advocacy on
Education for Sustainable Development. RCE also hopes to share the modules to
other organizations within and outside of Xavier University.
