UPLB showcased its commitment to disaster preparedness and resilience as it celebrated July as National Disaster Resilience Month.
The celebration was highlighted by the launch of the UPLB Risk, Emergency, and Disaster-Ready (READY) program, which aims to equip the UPLB community with the knowledge and skills necessary to face disasters.
The activities took place at the Bienvenido M. Gonzales Hall on the morning of July 12. Led by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs and its frontline units, UPLB READY aims to inform, capacitate, and prepare the UPLB community in alignment with the goal of future-proofing the University.
To kick off the event, the UPLB Security and Safety Office (SSO) conducted a comprehensive fire safety seminar for building administrators of UPLB’s executive offices. The seminar aimed to enhance their knowledge of fire prevention, response, and evacuation procedures.
An earthquake and fire drill was then conducted involving employees and students who were in the building. The drill aimed to familiarize participants with appropriate safety protocols during seismic events and fire accidents, ensuring their preparedness in real-life scenarios.
Gracing the program were UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr., other UPLB officials, and the heads of security of various partner agencies, namely: DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute, International Rice Research Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute, and Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture.
Representatives from the Los Baños Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Brgy. Batong Malake were present to collaborate with UPLB in efforts toward disaster resilience.
According to lawyer Eric Paul D. Peralta, director of SSO, the UPLB READY program reflects UPLB’s commitment to promoting a culture of disaster preparedness and resilience in the community.
By equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills, UPLB aims to ensure the safety and well-being of its students, employees, and the surrounding community in the face of potential disasters. With a proactive approach to disaster risk reduction, UPLB sets an example for other institutions in creating a safer and more resilient environment.
UPLB is poised to undertake further initiatives and collaborative efforts to bolster disaster preparedness for a safer and more resilient campus for all. (Mary Therese C. Bautista and Charles Justine B. Romero)
This article was originally published on the UPLB website.