Sustainable Initiatives Led by Local Experts

     The De La Salle University (DLSU)-Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), the social development arm of DLSU, and recognizing its important role in society continue to support its partner communities and those affected by disasters through partnership building and capacitating organizations that support climate change adaptation, mitigation, and protection of the environment.

     The pandemic and the harsh aftermath of typhoons such as typhoons Rolly and Ulysses that struck the country in 2020 and the devastation of typhoon Odette last December 2021continue to challenge the country’s disaster management response. COSCA, through its Lasallian Environmental Sustainability and Governance (L-EnviSaGe) endeavors to pursue initiatives to extend assistance to the vulnerable sectors affected by the pandemic and other calamities, rekindling the spirit of "damayan at bayanihan" during this pandemic among students, faculty members, staff members, parents, alumni. The support for those affected by typhoons was evident in the various relief drives where they served serving as volunteers, donated goods and money, and advocated for network and partner organizations for donations, and facilitated collaborative engagements to further support other needs of disaster affected communities.

     Equally recognizing its role as a resource for knowledge generation and advocacy sharing, COSCA implements capacity-building activities for people at the frontline and are directly affected by typhoons, flooding, and other calamities. These activities aim to raise awareness on the importance of disaster preparedness and in building disaster-resilient communities specified by Ms. Sapugay, COSCA's L-EnviSaGe Specialist, in one of her sharings: (a) readiness of self and family if a disaster happens, (b) ensuring the safety of self and family members, and (c) roles and contributions in the context of climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).

     On December 2021, COSCA, in collaboration with LGU-Lian, Batangas’ Municipal DRRM Office through its Officer, Mr. P. De Los Reyes, Jr. facilitated the distribution of disaster-ready bags to 141 households affected by Super Typhoon Rolly in 2020. The recipient families were from barangays (mostly coastal areas) of Lian, Batangas namely: Barangay Kapito, Balibago, Luyahan, Binubusan, Malaruhatan, Lumaniag, and Matabungkay. The initiative is one of DLSU-COSCA’s major advocacies- helping build disaster-resilient communities, made possible through the generous donation of GlobalGiving for the recovery and rehabilitation of communities affected by Super Typhoon Rolly. 

     Each Disaster-Ready Bag contains the following: 1 pc. 10L dry bag, 1 pc. blanket, 1 pc. first-aid kit, 1 pc. solar powered flashlight, 1 pc. battery-powered radio, 4 pcs. AA battery, 1 pc. whistle, 1 pc. 500ml tumbler, 1 pc. cutlery set, 1 bottle 250 ml alcohol, 1 pc. travel pack tissue, 3 pcs. cloth mask, 1 pc. notebook, 2 pcs. ballpen and 1 pc. short plastic envelope.