To raise awareness on and to help build a resilient community, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) spearheaded an orientation seminar on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). The seminar held on 27 October 2019 was participated in by 38 residents and local officials of Brgy. Tagumpay, Bay, Laguna.

Dr. Yusuf Sucol, University Coordinator of UP Los Baños Climate and Disaster Risks Studies Center (UPLB-CDRSC) served as the resource speaker. Aside from listening to the lectures, the participants were asked to update the barangay profile and hazard map. They also conducted needs-assessment and community-based flood mapping.

“Sana lahat ng natutunan natin ay maibahagi ninyo sa mga kapwa residente ng barangay para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa sa anumang uri ng sakuna,” Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU Director Rhonna Marie Vereña remarked.

True to the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód’s commitment of promoting and providing volunteer work to underserved and underprivileged areas and communities, volunteers, most of which were UPOU students from other regions of the country helped in the holding of the seminar.

The orientation seminar is part of the Buhay Pahinungod program which aims to forward the advocacy on DRRM amongst communities. The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód plans to conduct the Buhay Pahinungód program to other disaster-prone communities.

Director Verena said that their office shall be holding other Pahinungód programs and activities. She encourages UPOU alumni and students and their families to assist in the program implementation. For details and inquiries, interested individuals may contact Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Office at (049) 536 6001 loc. 335 or email at [email protected]. (RVerena and MLaksamana)