Eighty-four students of Tignapoloan National High School in Cagayan de Oro City received disaster preparedness training from the Office of Civil Defense Northern Mindanao (OCD-10). The orientation equipped them with knowledge on hazards, early warning systems, and emergency response. Ultimately, it aimed to strengthen youth participation in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
Students didn't just listen, though. They also learned to apply safety measures at home, in school, and in their communities.
OCD-10 Regional Director Antonio B. Sugarol urged students to share their lessons with families and neighbors. "Building resilience should start in our individual families," Sugarol said. Moreover, he stressed that preparedness requires awareness and action before emergencies occur.
Principal Arlene Valmoria thanked OCD-10 and the Schools Division of Cagayan de Oro for choosing her school as the venue. She underscored that teachers, non-teaching personnel, and students must all know how to prepare for natural and human-induced disasters.
Representatives from DOST-PAGASA, the Department of Health, and the Department of Education also shared information. Klinth Jerald C. Pinlac of PAGASA discussed climate-related hazards, rainfall advisories, and early warning systems. Meanwhile, students examined local hazard maps and asked how to interpret them.
Finally, the discussions covered inclusive DRRM, including gender-responsive approaches and the needs of vulnerable groups. As a result, students learned that preparedness must protect everyone in the community.
