Ada Sebelyeno (right, in white jacket) practices the “Ligtas ang Batang Handa” moves with her schoolmates“Noong gabi pong iyon ay matutulog na po sana kami tapos bigla pong lumindol,” Ada Alegrea Sebelyeno recalled.

Ada, a fourth grader from Sta. Clara Elementary School in Batangas, was one of the students who participated in the emergency preparedness training conducted by Bantay Bata 163 in their school.

Bantay Bata 163 launched “Ligtas ang Batang Handa,” a special campaign designed to equip children—identified as the most vulnerable sector in the society—to be ready during natural disasters.

The training was vital for Ada, having experienced an earthquake as a second grader in Bicol, and typhoon Yolanda, which destroyed their house, in 2013. These major natural disasters she went through made her realize the importance of training.

“Natutunan ko po na dapat lagi po tayong handa sa anumang sakunang darating para po maging ligtas po tayo,” she said.

Philippine Community Center International (PCCI), a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas, conducted “Ligtas ang Batang Handa” training and donated booklets, whistles, flashlights and food for the children of Batangas City. A staunch Bantay Bata 163 partner through the years, PCCI has supported Bantay Edukasyon and Bantay Bata medical outreach projects nationwide.

“Let us continue this program for our children because they are our future…. We will continue to collaborate with Bantay Bata,” said PCCI member Lorna Bacani Rosales.

The training was conducted in Sta. Clara Elementary School through the help of the Department of Education and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Office of Batangas. (Story/Photos by: Eva Mae Nares)

PCCI prepare children for disasters