Today, the Pasay City Villamor Air Base Golf Club witnessed a historic event. The ACDI Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ACDI MPC), the largest cooperative in the country, and Safe Zone, a Korean company, signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This marks the birth of the Philippines’ first modern survival school, a testament to our commitment to innovation in disaster management.
Retired Major General Gilbert Llanto, chairman of ACDI MPC, and Park Gi Yong, representing Safe Zone, formalized the partnership. Under the agreement, ACDI MPC will allocate some of its properties in the CALABARZON region for the school’s construction.
At the same time, Safe Zone will bring in investors to fund the school and complementary facilities, including hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other ventures. These initiatives aim to generate revenue for local government, ACDI MPC members, and the nation.
Llanto announced that the survival school will be a beacon of international cooperation, catering to both Filipino and international students. It will focus on training responders to manage disasters and emergencies effectively, thereby strengthening the Philippines’ disaster response capabilities and bolstering our reputation in the global community.
Llanto emphasized the survival school’s comprehensive approach to disaster management. It will feature modern training programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert personnel, all designed to address the growing complexity of disasters exacerbated by climate change. This reassures us that we are taking a proactive stance in the face of these challenges.
The development is envisioned as a mixed-use development project, integrating disaster preparedness with commercial opportunities. Discussions with local government units and relevant agencies will follow the MOU signing to secure necessary permits and operationalize the project.
The facilities will also be made available to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), local governments, ROTC cadets, and other organizations involved in disaster and emergency response, particularly in light of the potential for significant natural disasters, such as a magnitude eight earthquake.
This groundbreaking project provides a unique opportunity for the government to enhance disaster preparedness without allocating funds for construction, equipment, or training, as private investors will fully fund the initiative. The survival school is also anticipated to attract local and international tourists, contributing further to the country’s economic growth.