Sustainable Initiatives Led by Local Experts

      Pursuing disaster preparedness always entails sustained efforts in awareness building in the areas of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), climate change, and environmental protection. Equally important to raising the level of awareness of the members of the community is honing skills relevant to DRRM and learning best practices on DRRM. Climate change mitigation and adaptation, and other environmental protection and preservation strategies and approaches.

      It is in this context that DLSU-Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) strives to contribute, maximizing the potential of the youth. COSCA launched an online sustainability campaign from August 15-17, 2022 aimed at supporting initiatives to raise awareness among Lasallians regarding the environmental situation in the Philippines. Also, a separate campaign was held on August 19, 2022, through a webinar to help imbibe a culture of sustainability and eco-consciousness among Lasallians. COSCA, through its Student Social Formation Program’s De La Salle-Red Cross Youth, facilitated on August 5, 2022, through digital platform, its safety series campaign, highlighting fire safety among the youth.

       Even as we prepare for disaster and attempt to mitigate the risks, the harsh aftermath of typhoons and the devastating impacts of fire incidents and earthquakes continue to challenge the country’s disaster management response. The 7.0-magnitude earthquake which struck the northern portion of the Philippines, particularly the highland province of Abra on July 27, 2022, displaced about 48,477 people and brought damage to approximately 24,547 houses, 177 health facilities were either damaged or destroyed and some 263 schools sustained damages with 1.157 classrooms also either destroyed or damaged (NDRRMC, 2022). DLSU, through the generous donations of the academic community, supported the De La Salle Brothers, Inc.’s  Tulong Lasalyano-Kilos 4 Norte, which was able to extend support to families affected by the Abra earthquake. The approximate number of families served, numbered around 181 (based on the assumption that each family received a PHP 550.00 worth of food pack that is good for two days). 

(Information and photo source: SSFP/ COSCA/Tulong Lasalyano publicity materials)

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2002). Philippines: abra earthquake – flash update no. 3 (as of 1 august 2022, 3 pm. local time). Situation Report. OCHA Website. Retrieved from: [https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-abra-earthquake-flash-update-no-3-1-august-2022-3pm-local-time] on October 18, 2022