Shell promotes safety with RESCUE program

PILIPINAS Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), the social development arm of Shell in the Philippines, recently led the Junior Response to Communities Under Emergencies (RESCUE) training at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Some 139 elementary and high school students and 24 school disaster risk reduction coordinators from 15 different schools in Puerto Princesa attended the three-day event, which included fire safety, road safety, first aid, and disaster risk reduction management training.

“Junior RESCUE is a safety camp where participants are taught precautionary measures in preventing calamities and enables everyone to be of help to others during such circumstances,” explained PSFI program manager Marvi Rebueno Trudeau.

While Shell remains at the forefront of promoting safety in the workplace and actively supports promotion of smarter mobility and driver education, it continuously launches programs that develop the potential and skills of the Filipino youth as well.

Eyeing further potential of the program, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Officer Earl Timbancaya will propose the Junior RESCUE program to be adopted by the Palawan City Government. “We will propose the Junior Rescue program to be held annually in the city. We are also planning to hold a Junior RESCUE Olympics around summer next year,” he said.

PSFI spearheaded the event with the City Government of Puerto Princ- esa, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), and the Junior Chamber International Oil. Other event partners include the Puerto Princesa City Department of Education, the Bureau of Fire Protection–Puerto Princesa City, the City Traffic Management Office, and the Philippine Red Cross Youth–Palawan Chapter.