The research poster entitled “HERstory: Facilitating Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment of Flood-prone Sub-urban Poor Resettlement Housing in the Philippines” suggests that poor single mothers were one of the most vulnerable groups when natural and human-induced hazard strikes due to their existing economic and social situation, which is rooted in the political and economic structure of the community and the vulnerability intensity during and after the disaster.

Using Participatory Capacities and Vulnerabilities workshop, single-mothers gauge their exposure, vulnerability, coping mechanism, adaptive measure and strategies when they encountered a flood in their community. With this, HERstory responds to the challenges of the previous studies on disaster risk reduction to have a participatory , inclusive, gender-sensitive, and pro-poor perspective in understanding and managing disaster risk as this participatory research provides space for the vulnerable women to share their own experiences and aspirations in her own voice.

World Bosai Forum is an international conference on disaster risk reduction held in Sendai, Japan, in partnership with the International Disaster and Risk conference (IDRC) in Davos, Switzerland aims to pursue concrete solutions and collaboration from the various stakeholders in disaster risk reduction through lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and other disasters from the world. WBF promotes the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

Romero also presented this research at the 12th Aceh International Workshop and Expo on Sustainable Tsunami Disaster Recovery held last November 6-7, 2019 at the International Research Institution of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai Japan.

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With the theme, “Katutubong Dumagat sa Sariling Atin, Katuwang sa Pag-unlad at Hamon sa Panahon”, the activity is aimed to relive the Dumagat-Remontado indigenous community’s rights, culture, and tradition. The celebration commenced with a ritual led by the group’s Kamalan or Council of Elders, Kaksaan, and the seven Gemot or Chieftains. There were exhibit of the Dumagat-Remontado indigenous houses called “punduhan” and traditional song and dance performances and poetry reading participated in by the different indigenous people communities coming from Purok Tayabasan Libis, Sitio Balon, Sitio Paglitaw Apia, Canomay, San Joseph Purok Mainit, and Calawis. Highlighted also in the event is the call of the Dumagat-Remontado IPs to follow the process of acquiring the FPIC or the free, prior, and informed consent in their communities. 

The IP day was also attended by other stakeholders and partner organizations of the indigenous people communities of Antipolo City, Rizal. Sitio San Joseph Purok Mainit is one of the partner communities of the University of Santo Tomas. Among the projects initiated in the community to date were literacy services, children’s rights workshops, disaster risk reduction and management seminars, and construction of the School of Living Traditions by the UST NSTP CWTS LTS, and installation of solar panels and ram pump by the UST .��

The activity was organized with the help of the city government of Antipolo through the City Social Welfare and Development Office and DSWD Field Office-4 MCCT in line with the celebration of the National Indigenous People’s Month held every October.

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The UST NSTP CWTS LTS, in partnership with the UST Red Cross Youth Council (RCYC), Philippine Heart Association (PHA) and UST Hospital (USTH) Section of Cardiology, has been conducting a series of DRRM seminars with focus on hands-only Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic First Aid to 9,200 NSTP students on selected weekends of September and October.

With the theme “Building Cultures of Disaster Resilience and Emergency Preparedness”, the activity is part of the UST NSTP course, which is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of the students from the risks brought about by human-induced and natural hazards which our country is most susceptible to. It specifically aims to equip NSTP students with basic knowledge, practical skills and attitude required to perform appropriate basic first aid care response to those in need of emergency care.

Present in the program was a former UST NSTP CWTS student from the who shared her reflection about the DRRM program of UST NSTP. Representatives from UST Simbahayan Community Development Office, UST RCYC, PHA/USTH Cardiology Section, Citizen Disaster Response Center (CDRC), Samahang Kamanlalakbay also graced the event and gave their respective solidarity messages to the department. Present as well in the said activity were community and youth leaders of NTA and Kasiglahan Village Rodriguez, Rizal and Dumagat-Remontado community of Sitio San Joseph Purok Mainit, Antipolo City, Rizal wherein NSTP students had their DRRM fieldwork with last year. The IDDRR is called upon by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and is held every 13th day of October to celebrate “how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reigning in the risks that they face.”

Photo credi: Fotomasino

Feature credit: Jasmin Victoria

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As a Thomasian response, the UST NSTP CWTS & LTS office, together with volunteer Ayta partner community youth and leaders in Bamban, Tarlac, distributed hygiene kits and bottles of water to 613 Ayta families currently living in open fields and makeshift tents in Brgy. Camias, Porac, Pampanga. The activity was held on May 2, 2019.

Aside from hygiene kits and water, 215 LTS bags of school supplies, 132 rain coats, and food items consisting of 502 kilos of rice, 211.25 kilos of monggo beans, 50 kilos of salt, 82 packs of noodles, and 117 canned goods donated by the NSTP students were also turned-over.

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The opening remarks, delivered by Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation , was followed by the Panel Session 1: Institutionalization of Community Engagement/Service-Learning which was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Marielyn C. Quintana. Research presenters were SIMBAHAYAN Director , SIMBAHAYAN Assistant Director , and – all of whom are part of the UST Community-Engaged Studies Research Interest Group (RIG), together with Asst. Prof. Philip Arnold Tuaño of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

For Panel Session 2: Community Engagement/Service-Learning and Student Formation, the presentors included: Asst. Prof. Leland Joseph dela Cruz from ADMU, Dr. Marian Emae Grace Alvarez from the UST , and Assoc. Prof. Jose Ricarte Origenes from the UST SIMBAHAYAN-National Service Training Program (NSTP).

The moderator for the afternoon session, Dr. Abernir, focused on Community Engagement/Service-Learning Intervention and Impact. Ms. Enha Erika Brondo, ADMU-NSTP Formator and Mr. George Omer Quitoriano, faculty member of ADMU showcased their studies together with Engr. Alexie Ballon from the Institute of Information and Computing Sciences; Mitzico Bibal, graduating student of ; Jelynna Alano, and Jowillyn Capacite, students from . The last session which awakened the interest of students on Community Engagement/Service Learning and Disaster Resilience was facilitated by Asst. Prof. Alipao.

Assoc. Prof. Quintana from , Mr. Adrian Romero of UST NSTP, Ms. Imelda Oponda of Kasiglahan Village, Asst. Prof. Alain Jomari Santos of UST , Marie Jane Turla, and Britany Alaine Lopez from College of Nursing students were the last presenters.

Abenir concluded the conference by not just mentioning the importance of research that is for the people and by the people, but also by emphasizing that the Bartolome de las Casas Research Conference serves as an avenue for the conference participants to listen and understand the research studies and interventions of different colleges guided by the discipline of community development. He also invited everyone to submit their research papers for the upcoming Kamanlalakbay portion of its program, which is a presentation of studies regarding partner communities of the University.

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