Ayala Foundation brought its “Maging Handa: Upskilling Disaster Responders” training program to Ilocos Norte as it underscores its commitment to climate action and disaster resilience.
Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos led local officials who welcomed Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino, Corporate Citizenship Senior Director Cel Amores, and guests from Ayala companies at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City.
“I’m very happy that this is something that Ayala Foundation is investing in,” Vice Governor Marcos shared. She added that she was optimistic about the ripple effect the training would have in the participants’ communities.
“We hope these lectures and simulations will help upskill the responders and local leaders of various municipalities and barangays in Ilocos Norte”, said Lambino. “It is our hope that the participants will be able to conduct the same training in their areas as we collaborate to create more disaster-resilient communities”, he added.
Held on April 29 and 30, 2024, the training program was attended by 300 representatives from various agencies including the City and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) offices, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Office of Civil Defense, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine National Police.
The sessions included lectures and simulation activities on disaster management by Doki Natividad of Wilderness Search and Rescue Philippines, and mental health and psychosocial support training by Dr. Dinah Nadera of AWIT Foundation.
Participants also learned about humanitarian response standards, best practices in disaster management, financial literacy, and the role of communication during disasters.
To wrap up the two-day training program, participants discussed and presented their ideas for contributing to the local climate change action plans in their communities.
Maging Handa is one of the programs under the foundation’s Corporate Citizenship arm which aims to create shared value for the Ayala group and its partners by addressing key social and environmental challenges at scale.
Since its launch in 2023, the program has trained a total of 1,869 disaster responders in Agusan del Norte, Batangas City, Borongan, Cagayan de Oro, and Puerto Galera.