SENATOR Loren Legarda emphasized the need to start disaster risk awareness in schools.

Legarda is pushing for the creation of a disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation module for the Department of Education (DepEd) schools.

The senator introduced the idea during a recent meeting in Malacañang, attended by UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction head Kamal Kishore and Education Secretary Edgardo Angara, among others.

The meeting was held during a dinner hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in Malacañang earlier this week.

“I suggested that we develop a module for DepEd schools for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and Secretary Angara was very excited,” Legarda said.

“We could help develop modules for the Department of Education,” she added, referring to other concerned agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Climate Change Commission.

Legarda explained that the module could be integrated into the curriculum as a subject in schools or as part of Araling Panlipunan.

“Pag may module na ituturo sa DepEd, di ba ang galing? Ang mga bata matututo at bata pa lang sila ay mabibigyan ng halaga ang paghahanda,” Legarda said.

“We should start them young. Hindi paglaki na dun lang tuturuan,” she added.

She noted that this proposal aligns with the existing Environmental Awareness and Education law.