Disaster readiness training videos
“MAGING Laging Handa,” a series of disaster-readiness videos developed by Smart Communications (Smart), has been distributed to public elementary schools nationwide.
The project supports the Department of Education’s (DepEd) initiative to integrate disaster risk reduction (DRR) into the education curriculum.
Developed with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and the Bureau of Mines and Geosciences of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the video series was launched recently at the DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Education Forum attended by regional disaster coordinators.
A teacher’s guide on how the videos could be integrated into the DRR curriculum was also presented.
The videos, part of Smart’s advocacy for a safer Philippines, are especially designed for children who are most vulnerable during disasters.
Ronilda Co, director of the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, said the videos were a valuable addition to the DRR elementary school curriculum.
The videos offer safety tips for such calamities as typhoons, floods, tsunamis, storm surges, earthquakes and landslides. They also simplify disaster-related concepts.
The videos feature television personality Tonipet Gabba and three puppets—Inay Lena, a mother hen; Brownie, a dog; and Kali, a carabao. The videos include all-original Tagalog songs to help make learning richer and more exciting.
Smart Public Affairs Group head Ramon Isberto said children could teach what they learned on disaster preparedness to their families. This would make it easier to get families to participate in preparedness efforts in their communities, he said.
The initiative, Isberto said, was a way to mobilize communities and start the culture of preparedness among Filipinos.
Smart also promotes the culture of preparedness among its partner organizations through #SafePH program.
The videos can be viewed at www.smart.com.ph/SafePH. They will now be part of Smart’s regular disaster preparedness caravans in various parts of the country to help strengthen disaster management capacities of local governments and citizens.
To aid in disaster communications and response, Smart has also developed mobile applications and technology solutions, such as the Batingaw and Project Noah apps and the Smart Infocast.
The company also provides immediate “libreng tawag” services in areas affected by disasters using its satellite services.