ORMOC CITY – Pursuant to DepEd Order 21, S. 2015, otherwise known as the “Risk Reduction and Management Coordination and Information Management Protocol” under Republic Act (RA) No. 10121, or “The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,” and DepEd Order 10, S. 2016, otherwise known as “Comprehensive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) Program”, the SDRRM Coordinator, School Clinic In-Charge, and WASH in School Coordinator of Ormoc City Regional Sports Academy, Donahflor D. Amatong, RN, MAEd, spearheaded the conduct of a School-Based In-Service Training on WASH in Schools (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program).
The program was done in partnership with Red Cross Ormoc City Chapter and Ormoc City DRRM office following the guiding principles of the School Disaster Risk Reduction Management (SDRRM).
The said In-Service Training was successfully conducted last February 6-8, 2023 at the Ormoc City Regional Sports Academy, which aimed to enhance the health and safety measures of the school.
The school that Ms. Amatong represents believes that with the looming threats brought about by external factors including climate change, it is imperative to equip school personnel with the knowledge and life skills that would help uphold the overall wellbeing of teachers and students alike. By the end of the training, the participants were able to appreciate the importance of self-care and risk awareness. Finally, the training provided an avenue for the school to continue innovating and making ways to provide quality learning for students without compromising health and safety. After all, the school teachers, accordingly, strive not only to succeed but also to have “a healthy mind in a healthy body” (Mens sana in corpore sano). Contributed by Donahflor D. Amatong, RN, MAEd (EV Mail Feb. 6-12, 2023 issue)