BANGA, AKLAN – The Aklan State University (ASU) held a Seminar on Disaster Risk Management and Rehabilitation Operation on July 22, 2008. It was attended by 150 participants from the five campuses of the University, Aklan Philippine National Police and broadcast media.

One of the speakers was Ms. Merlie B. Mendoza, a Humanitarian and Advocate of Human Security. She commended the University for initiating the seminar which is one of the mitigating measures in times of disaster. She expressed that the University has an important role to play, since it is an agricultural University, and the farmers are one of the mostly affected sectors. One of the mechanisms to reach them is through the expertise of the faculty members and students who are teaching and studying agriculture. The farmers must be educated on climate change adaptation..

She added that the disaster that happened in the Province will most likely happen again. She emphasized that we must prepare for natural disasters which are inevitable, wherein it is an opportunity for the Aklanons to join hands and a great challenge we must respond.

Another speaker is Mr. Jemy Lao See, an Aklanon who is formerly the Philippine Tourism Attaché in Taiwan, Chairman of Bicol Disaster Management, and presently connected with Hawaii Tourism. He stressed that everyone must be well prepared for any disaster that almost certainly will happen. He added that the means of communication must the established, the people must listen to the warnings from the experts on any disaster that might occur, and volunteers must be trained on how to respond.

During an interview over DYMT Community Radio on July 23, 2008, Ms. Mendoza is very hopeful that the Aklanons could recover. She suggested that the members of Civil Society Organizations must work hand in hand and find solution. She pointed out the important role of the community radio in informing the people.

Likewise, in the radio interview, Mr. Lao See stressed that the different sectors of the community must be trained on how to prepare and deal with any disasters.

Furthermore, they said that everyone must take part in taking care of the environment – beginning from the household chores, to the workplace and everywhere.