by J-Roel Semilla
The BPE-SPE students of the Department of Physical Education of the College of Education participated in a series of disaster preparedness activities held last November 12, 14, and 16.
Organized by the SPE 118 class under the advisory of Dr. Cesar T. Miguel, the Institute’s SDO Director, the event aims to prepare the students during disaster and respond to it.
A symposium on “A Disaster Risk Reduction Preparedness Symposium and Training” was conducted at the CED Amphitheater. Jade V. Pondang, guest speaker from the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office delivered a talk to develop the abilities of the students in disaster preparation and response.
The sirens wailed and hundreds of students, faculty, and staff from the different departments of CED moved towards the volleyball court. Suddenly, a bomb exploded and the search and rescue team retrieved individuals trapped inside and treated their injuries. These scenarios were only part of a simultaneous earthquake, fire, and bomb drill held in the afternoon of the same day. The drill was done in order to put into action what the BPE-SPE studentslearned during the symposium. They were then rated by the speakersbased on their performance in responding, rescuing, and first aid application.
Aside from this, water survival training was conducted on November 14 at Delamar Swimming Pool. The main purpose of the activity was to prepare students on how to respond effectively during emergencies involving water. The necessary knowledge and skills needed to survive in unexpected water incidents were imparted to the students through different rescuing techniques. It also helped the students build their confidence in case they find themselves in a situation where water survival is imperative.
Finally at C3 Road, Brgy. Pugaan, the Paramedic/Emergency Response and Evacuation Drill took place. From the main road, the students went down to the incident area by means of rappelling. First aid application was then given to the patient. Afterwards, they evacuated the area by crossing the river while carrying the patient with their makeshift stretchers. The activity was made possible by the concerted effort between MSU-IIT and Councilor Ian C. Uy – Chairman, Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of Iligan City.
Before this, basics of rappelling was done at the 4th floor of the College of Engineering and Technology building under the supervision of the Institute’s Emergency Response Team.