12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
[MP3-01] SERVICE LEARNING THROUGH NSTP CWTS/LTS: The Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Program of University of Santo Tomas-National Service Training Program (NSTP) CWTS/LTS
As a response to Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goals, this presentation illustrates the process, narratives and experiences of UST National Service Training Program (UST NSTP) in the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) to their curriculum. NSTP was instituted by the Philippine government by virtue of Republic Act 9163 that aims to enhance civic consciousness and defense preparedness in the Filipino youth by developing the ethics of service and patriotism while undergoing community development activity to the marginalized community. As major part of the curriculum, the UST NSTP college students taught the concepts, theories and skills of community based disaster risk reduction management and emergency preparedness and equip them to practice and apply this to in their fieldwork activity in various partner communities and institutions suffered from marginalization and voicelessness during disaster management. In the process during community work, UST NSTP facilitators and students utilized Participatory Capacities and Vulnerabilities Assessment (PCVA), a participatory research methodology developed by different community development workers that holistically collects, analyzes and synthesizes communities’ resources and vulnerabilities in dealing with disasters. As a service learning tool for students and partner communities, PCVA is useful in understanding disaster risks and exposure to different natural and anthropogenic hazards through their collective and individual experience. The process let the NSTP students worked with various at-risk sectors such as children, women, urban poor, farmers and indigenous peoples so that they can formulate their inclusive disaster risk assessment. Starting on the communities’ local knowledge, NSTP students build on the capacity of the community by weaving their local experience, practices and skills in facing disaster risk. With this, the presentation seeks to contribute and respond to the call for a participatory, inclusive pro-poor, gender sensitive and empowering service-learning in disaster risk reduction and management.