RESCYouth2014
participants, together with KAC Youth Development Program
Facilitator Gabriel Lamparas (center), gather during the night
activity on Day 1 to uniquely introduce their Challenge Team to
the rest of the groups. |
Kool Adventure Camp
promotes Disaster Response Principles during RESCYouth 2014
By Ramon Aboitiz Foundation
Inc.
December 9, 2014
CEBU CITY – Clear
communication, smart planning, decision making, resource mobilization,
crisis management and collaboration – these are the principles on
disaster response promoted in simulation activities during the
Responsive, Empowered and Service-Centric Youth (RESCYouth) 2014 last
November 6 to 7.
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc
- Kool Adventure Camp (RAFI-KAC) facilitated the simulation activities
participated in by around 100 youth from different organizations that
have existing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programs and projects in
the Philippines.
“The simulation activities
enabled us to have a more engaging learning. It was so real that we
were really sweating. The principles behind each of the activity are
really effective and important during DRR. But personally, being a
responder, to be calm, prepared and proactive also really matter,”
said Dionisio Macasait, vice-president of Javierians, a youth
organization from Leyte, which was one of the areas hit the hardest by
super typhoon Yolanda last year.
“The target of RESCYouth is
equipping the youth with the skills and principles for disaster
preparedness and situational awareness so we align by their objective
in that way,” said Marie Sol Gonzalvo, RAFI-KAC deputy director for
Youth Development Programs.
The simulation activities
led by KAC was one of the highlight challenges during the two-day
RESCYouth workshop led by the office of Senator Paulo Benigno “Bam”
Aquino.
"To be empowered is the
spirit we want to harness, spread and strengthen. If we work with each
other, there is so much we can do for each other and for our fellow
countrymen. This is our agenda in RESCYOUTH. We want to have this
bigger and better annually to be a powerful network of young Filipinos
who believe and make a difference,” said Aquino, chairman of the
Senate Committee on Youth and Entrepreneurship.
“We hope RAFI will still be
there to be our partner in the coming more RESCYouth summit,” he
added.
Aside from the simulation
activities, the two-day workshop enabled the youth participants to
actively exchange ideas on best DRR practices, leading to the creation
of new schemes that would enhance current DRR management program in
different areas of the country.
Aside from Senator Aquino,
other speakers during the workshop were Mayor Leonardo "Sandy" Javier
of Javier, Leyte; Gawad Kalinga’s Mark Lawrence Cruz; Hapinoy
Executive Director TJ Agulto; Voltaire Tupaz of Rappler’s MovePH; GMA
Network’s Mario Urrutia III of Reporter's Notebook and resident
meteorologist Nathaniel “Ka Tani” Cruz.
The speakers discussed
different topics, ranging from best practices of local government
units during disasters, tapping the spirit of volunteerism during
relief and rescue operations, and the role of media as information
dissemination arm.
KAC has been offering
leadership and team development adventure education programs for youth
and professionals for the last decade. It is a program under the
Leadership and Citizenship focus area of the RAFI. It has recently
opened the Philippines’ first fully dedicated adventure education
center last August 2 in Cansomoroy, Balamban, Cebu. For more
information on KAC and its services, contact 260-9000 local 1001 and
look for Althea May Santillan, or visit www.kac.rafi.org.ph or
www.facebook.com/kooladventurecamp.