CDRRMC awards first ever Disaster Preparedness Seal to AUL

Aquinas University of Legazpi has become the first school in Legazpi City to be a certified disaster-prepared establishment. The assertion was made by City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) Action Officer Pecos Intia during the post-earthquake and fire drill evaluation conducted in the University, July 24.

City Administrator Noel Rosal awarded the Seal of Disaster Preparedness to Aquinas University of Legazpi Emergency Response Team (ALERT) Chair Jesus Barizo and Office of Alumni and Public Affairs Director Gina Borromeo.

Intia rated the earthquake drill 9.5 out of 10, signifying the overall preparedness of the school in times of disasters. Observers from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Legazpi City also lauded the efforts of the University in disaster-preparedness.

“AUL is lucky to have a supportive administration advocating disaster preparedness,” said BFP Fire Officer 1 Blessie Diane Morco.

City Administrator Rosal cited the importance of mitigation and prevention in the age of climate change. “It is important to put in the grassroots the level of disaster preparedness,” he added.

He commended the University for internally initiating disaster preparedness measures without much prodding from government agencies.

The drill was conducted in the elementary, high school, and college departments. Aside from ALERT members, some students from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education participated in the staging of the drill.

ALERT Chair Barizo said trainings in basic firefighting and lifesaving are scheduled during the semestral break this October for ALERT members.

ALERT is the disaster risk-reduction team of Aquinas University of Legazpi composed of volunteer administrators, faculty members, and non-teaching personnel. It was established in 2001 under the name Disaster Management Team.

Posted on: 07.24.2012