MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--World Vision handed over disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) including early warning devices to five schools under the City Schools Division of Marawi (CSDM) as part of its commitment to help ensure learning continuity and create safer schools for learners.
The devices include tents, alarm systems, fire extinguishers, spine boards, first-aid kits, pairs of boots, portable radios, two-way radios, DRR ropes, and whistles.
Cecile Cenas, World Vision's project coordinator for Marawi City, said the turnover of DRRM devices is part of the humanitarian agency's Urban Child Protection and Participation (UCPP) project.
"The schools take the lead in empowering the learners, personnel, schools, and offices to ensure safety and learning continuity. This is to institutionalize DRRM, especially on child protection in times of emergencies," she said during the turnover ceremony held at Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School Monday, October 3
School heads of the recipient schools are thankful to World Vision for helping their schools not only in the aspect of DRRM but in ensuring learning continuity amidst the Marawi siege and the pandemic.
"Taus-puso kaming limang eskwelahan na nagpapasalamat sa inyo. Since 2017, you are in our schools to support us," said Abdulazis Elementary School Principal Maimona Macaunte.
City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto also conveyed her gratitude to the child-humanitarian organization.
The CSDM likewise received a printer and laminating machine with laminating film.
"I felt that World Vision has become a family to us. They know our plight from the very beginning. They were there for us at the height of the siege, they journey with us in the face of terrorism and then they journey again with us in this dreaded pandemic until this very moment. I'm grateful for their love for the Bangsamoro learners," she said.
She said the DRR-related devices and materials could benefit teachers and learners in times of emergencies, noting the vulnerability of the city to typhoons and flooding.
Alonto urged the receiving school heads to take good care of the devices and show the donor that they value the assistance given to them.
"I would encourage our different school heads to take care of what are those things entrusted to them. Remember that every penny spent on this is loaded with love and malasakit," she said.
Meanwhile, World Vision Philippines UCPP Project Manager Adonis Casinillo thanked the school recipients saying their program could not prosper without the reciprocated support and warm welcome of their beneficiaries.
“We share the same passion to serve the children. Ang fullness ng bawat bata ay sana marealize sa bawat isa. Iyan naman ang dream ng lahat,” he said. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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