By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Philippine government further advanced its preparedness and resilience campaign to protect learners and teachers in schools and at home against various disaster risks and climate hazards nationwide with the launch of Panatag Pilipinas 3.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the local government of Pasig, launched the campaign in observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) at Rizal High School in Pasig City on Tuesday.
With the global theme “Resilience Starts at Home,” the IDDRR calls for resilience at home through proactive steps by understanding risks and knowing what to do “before, during, and after” hazards.
In an interview, DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service Director IV Felino Castro V said the campaign is crucial, citing the need to establish proper preparedness down to the family level.
“Preparedness is very important for us to be resilient. Alam niyo naman na (You know that) the Philippines is the first in the world risk index tabulation for this year,” he said.
“So, being in an area that is hazard-prone, and at risk to a lot of natural and human-induced hazards — kailangan prepared ‘yung ating pamayanan (our society must be prepared).”
During the event, Castro discussed with learners the importance of the Family Preparedness Blueprint.
Among its key points are the need for schools and households to secure their own family preparedness plans, designated assembly areas when disaster hits, headcount protocols in schools and at home, securing an emergency contact list, and safe release protocols.
Castro also highlighted the “prepare-connect-reunite” plans under the family lifeline framework, as well as the essential survival must-haves for Go-bags against disasters.
For its part, the OCD highlighted ways to prepare against various hazards, including earthquakes, tropical cyclones, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and floods, using various video campaign materials.
“Ito po ‘yung binibigyan nating pansin para siguraduhin na talagang alam ng bawat isang mag-aaral at guro ang dapat gawin (This is what we are focusing on to ensure that each learner and teacher knows what to do),” OCD Deputy Administrator for Operations Assistant Secretary Laurence Mina said in a separate interview.
The OCD recently conducted a meeting with the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the National Youth Commission to incorporate disaster preparedness and risk management within the curriculum and programs for the youth sector.
Mina said they are eyeing to integrate its implementation in higher and technical education by the upcoming school year, providing training and technical support. (PNA)
FAMILY PREPAREDNESS PLAN. Education Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service Director IV Felino Castro V underscores the need for learners to have their own family preparedness plan during the launch of the Panatag Pilipinas 3 campaign in observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction at Rizal High School in Pasig City on Tuesday (Oct. 13, 2026). Castro also highlighted the “prepare-connect-reunite” plans, as well as the essential survival must-haves for Go-bags against disasters.
