Benilde PRIME: Strengthening Disaster Preparedness Across Communities
Benilde PRIME: Strengthening Disaster Preparedness Across Communities
18 July 2024
As part of the College’s ongoing effort to increase awareness about disaster preparedness among the Benildean Community and stakeholders, Benilde PRIME was held from July 1-5, 2024. Benilde PRIME, short for “Promoting Resilience through Innovation in Managing Emergencies,” included various seminars and workshops covering topics such as fire prevention, cybercrime emergency prevention, and earthquake preparedness. This event coincided with the Office of Civil Defense’s National Disaster Resilience Month.
The week-long event began with an opening ceremony at Greensquare in Taft Campus. Attendees included key figures such as SFO4 Annabelle Padilla from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Manila Fire District, Luther Castuera from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Rescue Battalion, Michael Joseph Manuel from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), Manila Councilor Mon Yupangco, Benilde Chancellor Benhur Ong, Benilde Vice President for Administration Juan Ramon “Noni” Odulio, and Mark Henry Lapuebla from the Center for Emergency Management, Safety and Security (CEMSS).
The event kicked off with the Fire Square Roadshow on fire prevention by SFO4 Padilla at Greenway Square in Taft Campus. Concurrently, MDRRMO conducted workshops on Basic Life Support and First Aid at the Taft Campus Auditorium and The Atrium Campus Ideation Room.
The following day featured the MDRRMO Caravan, focusing on emergency response and equipment, and included demonstrations by the Philippine Red Cross CPR Station and a blood donation drive facilitated by Benilde’s Center for Health and Medical Services and Manila Doctors Hospital. Additionally, Lt. Col. Jay Guillermo as represented by PCOL Mark Turingan of the PNP Anti-Cyber Crime Group conducted a seminar on Cybercrime Awareness and Prevention.
In addition to these activities, MMDA presented an Earthquake Simulator at the exhibit, offering participants a hands-on experience of earthquakes of varying magnitudes and methods for preparedness.
On July 3rd, at the Design+Arts Campus, Mr. Manuel of MDRRMO provided an orientation on the essential role of a GO BAG in Emergency Preparedness. Simultaneously, a Disaster Preparedness Orientation Course with focus on Climate Change Adaptation took place at the Auditorium, Taft Campus. MDRRMO, MMDA, and PRC at the MFC Grounds in Taft Campus, continued their highlights on crucial life-saving skills related to fire response, earthquake preparedness, and CPR.
On the fourth day, Associates and NSTP students attended MDRRMO’s Disaster Preparedness Orientation. Nutritionist and Dietitian Ms. Jo Ann Marie Salamat of the Nutritionists-Dietitians Association of the Philippines also gave a talk on “The Vital Role of Emergency Food Supplies” at Halles de Rheims in AKIC Campus and attended by the Task Force Safe School members and Barangay Partners.
Wrapping up the week-long event, Mr. Castuera from MMDA Rescue Battalion Headquarters and Disaster Preparedness Training delivered a presentation on “The Big One,” referring to the potential 7.2 magnitude earthquake along the West Valley Fault in Metro Manila, projected to have severe consequences.
Campaigning for disaster preparedness is not unique to College. CEMSS holds programs, regular drills, and safety inspections to further polish the Institution’s disaster plans and identify potential loopholes and glitches. Furthermore, these activities also allow our Community members to have first-hand knowledge of handling emergencies.
Since 2003, Benilde has been part of Task Force Safe School (TFSS), a consortium with neighboring schools St. Scholastica’s College and De La Salle University, in partnership with Manila Police District, Manila LGUs including the Barangays where the schools are located. Benilde recently held the chairmanship of TFSS in the years of 2021 until 2023. Currently, De La Salle University holds the chairmanship of TFSS.
Benilde PRIME was made possible through partnerships with Manila MDRRMO, MMDA, BFP Manila, and PRC-Manila Chapter, co-presented by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Alumni Association (DLS-CSBAA), and supported by Benilde’s Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life (OVP-LMSL). Interpreters were also available during workshops and seminars for Deaf participants.
