SENATORIAL candidate Guillermo Eleazar said a subject that focuses on disaster resilience should be included in the school curriculum.

Eleazar made the proposal since Filipinos are often exposed to different natural hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

“Taon-taon ay binibisita ng mga bagyo ang ating bansa at hindi rin nawawala ang banta ng lindol at pagputok ng mga bulkan. Kaya naman halos taon-taon din ay marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nabibiktima ng mga kalamidad. Maraming buhay, kabuhayan, at ari-arian ang nawawala kaya hirap na makabangon ang mga kababayan nating nasasalanta,” Eleazar said.

He noted that it is wise that the Department of Education considers the value of disaster resilience among young learners.

The DepEd in 2015 incorporated the comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management in the basic education framework.

This guides DRRM efforts in the basic education sector and ensures that quality education is continuously provided and prioritized even during disasters or emergencies.

Although it is closely related and interconnected, DRRM is different from disaster resilience, the former PNP chief said.

He pointed out that DRMM focuses on “planning and reducing vulnerabilities” while the latter puts emphasis on “speeding recovery and facilitating adaptation.”

“The ‘duck, cover, hold’ procedure as well as other strategies to minimize the occurrence and better manage the risks during a disaster are actually part of DRRM,” Eleazar said.