After a couple of disaster simulation drills held at the Iloilo City campus recently, the University of the Philippines Visayas Gender and Development Program (UPV GDP) and the Crisis Management Committee helped train learners of the Balay Balay Child Minding Center (BBCMC) in Miagao on Oct. 15, 2026.
Similar to the first two drills, the one conducted in Miagao was gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and child-centered, developed in consultation with Dr. Bernice Vania Mamauag of the UPV Psychology Cluster, and based on the standard observation checklist of the UP Resilience Institute.
BBCMC teachers simulated holding their regular activities with the children, who were not informed of the drill’s actual start time as part of their training. After the simulated alarm sounded, the children calmly formed a circle, observed the “duck-cover-hold” procedure, wore their hard hats, exited the room, and proceeded to an open space.
This was the first time that disaster simulation drills were held with BBCMC learners in Miagao as participants.
After the simulation, the group composed of Mr. Aljohn Torreta, Project Development Assistant for Crisis Management; GDP Director Prof. Kezzie Lyn Hilado; Dr. Bernice Vania Mamauag of the UPV Psychology Cluster; Ms. Frances Marie Perida, teacher at the BBCMC; and Mr. Anastacio Alingalan of the Security Service Force discussed ways to enhance communication and safety protocols.
Written by Carlson Alelis, IPO
Photos by Carlson Alelis, IPO
