Benilde PRIME, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s (DLS-CSB) initiative for the Disaster Resilience Month last July, received a plaque of appreciation for its contribution in the Office of Civil Defense’s National Disaster Resilience Month at the Rizal Park Hotel South Drive on Oct. 25.

Mr. Mark Henry Lapuebla, Deputy Director for Center for Emergency Management, Safety and Security (CEMSS), was also given a plaque of appreciation for his contributions to the MDRRMO.

These awards were conferred by Mr. Arnel Eustacio M. Angeles, MDRRMO Director, alongside Mayor Hon. Maria Sheilan “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan, the current Mayor of Manila City.

The disaster preparedness initiative

Benilde PRIME, short for “Promoting Resilience through Innovation in Managing Emergencies,” was organized by the CEMSS, co-presented by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Alumni Association (DLS-CSBAA), and supported by the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life (OVPLMSL) to increase disaster preparedness awareness among the Benildean Community.

The initiative was in partnership with the MDRRMO, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) which took place from July 1 to July 5, with orientations, seminars, and interactive activities that taught experience and knowledge in managing different types of emergencies.

Aside from the seminars and activities, the MMDA prepared an Earthquake Simulator which gave the participants hands-on experience with different preparations for earthquakes of varying magnitudes.

In an Interview with The Benildean, Mr. Lapuebla shared, “We are putting ourselves on the map of disaster preparedness. We are recognized by the city of Manila, na we are doing our part when it comes to disaster preparedness, disaster response, and information dissemination."

"We are just few, siguro apat lang kami [na academic institution] that were recognized in Metro Manila," He continued, "So it means na we are really going in the direction of being a disaster resilient community."

Mr. Lapuebla noted that there remain challenges in maintaining high levels of engagement and participation, particularly during drills because some members of the community do not fully participate in these activities.

To address this, he suggested a continued focus on information dissemination, “We are doing our best. Hindi naman doon matitigil. We [will] continue our information dissemination… The thing we can really do is information drive.”

“We have to convince, lalo na kapag nandoon na tayo sa response phase ng isang disaster, it really falls on saving lives. To really put it in heart and in mind, na during emergencies, ’yung buhay mo talaga ‘yung pinakaimportante, not your property, not your belongings,” he emphasized.

Moving forward, a key aspect of the CEMSS’s strategy for improvement is the shift toward preventative measures. As of writing, Mr. Lapuebla shared that the focus for Benilde PRIME 2.0 will be on prevention, such as how to prevent fires or mitigate the risks of typhoons.

CEMSS has been implementing programs aimed at both students and Benildean employees to ensure safety and security within the community. In addition to initiatives such as Task Force Safe School and Benilde PRIME, CEMSS conducts regular drills and safety inspections. The department also uses multimedia tools—such as campus posters and digital signage—to disseminate important information on disaster preparedness, as well as other safety and security-related matters.

Benilde PRIME’s success in its first iteration has inspired CEMSS to continue refining and expanding its programs. “We received a good evaluation [and] good comment. So, doon pa lang na-inspire na kami ulit. It might be a different approach. It's information dissemination and, of course, the knowledge of how to act during emergencies. It's better to have hands-on experience.”

“The more people who know, the more resilient we are,” he ended.

For more information on Benilde PRIME, visit Benilde - Center for Emergency Management, Safety and Security on Facebook.

Articles by Lana Najarro

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