Written by Dr. Lea E. Usman
The prompt response of Dr. Carla A. Ochotorena, president of the Western Mindanao State University through its Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office was launched as an inception meeting in collaboration with the local government agencies at the College of Home Economics of this University last March 3, 2023.
The inception meeting tackled potential avenues for building partnerships, networks and alliances to address natural calamities and particularly exploring long-term solutions of the aftermath of such disasters like floods. The assessment of disaster risks is further crucial to determine the capability of the University to handle the gravity of a catastrophic situation in an academic environment. Thus, the need to work closely with community groups, sectors and stakeholders towards a common goal of protecting the University and the city at large.
Invited during the meeting was the PAG-ASA weather forecast station in the city of Zamboanga. The station is expected to provide the University with accurate and timely information of weather-related information and services for proper dissemination to students and other stakeholders on occasions of inclement weather conditions to avoid casualty. Indeed, the extent of the role of Higher Education in preventing and reducing disaster risks cannot be undermined.
In most universities around the globe disaster education is even offered as a course to provide knowledge among individuals and groups to take actions to reduce their vulnerability to disasters. During the last decades, education has trained people to prepare for disasters and respond during calamities. Disaster education is further perceived as functional, operational and a cost-effective tool for risk management nowadays. Based on some evidence educating vulnerable people to learn about disasters and different methods has lessened fatality with proper planning and designing comprehensive educational programs for disaster prevention.
Thus, the readiness of an educational institution like WMSU to prevent natural disasters is mandatory. The task of ensuring the protection of the life and property as well as the preparedness of the administration, students, faculty and staff is a social responsibility mandated in its charter as an institution of higher learning.
