Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Emergency Preparedness Forum for Children and Youth with Disabilities #SMEmergencyForum2018

Where were you last July 16,1990 when an estimated magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Philippines specifically Central Luzon? 

My mom who was pregnant then with our youngest, my sister and I were in our room on the second floor of the house when the shaking happened. We were shocked. 

I held on to our cabinet where our TV was para alalayan ang TV and the figurines not to fall 😂 Funny how I think of the appliance and decors first rather than my safety. Nakakatawa siya isipin ngayon pero sobrang nakakatakot iyon. Me as an individual who is capable of saving my self sana wasn't able to think straight that time how much more the people with disabilities? 

Attendees (L-R) Ms. Agnes Negre and son Jan Zander Negre, John Leonard Tapay and mom Noneets Tapay

Persons with Disabilities  (PWD), especially the young ones are seen to be more disadvantaged due to their limitations on mobility and awareness. I know coz I have 1of 68. My son is in the spectrum. That's why I was priviledged to attend the Emergency Preparedness Forum for Children And Youth with Disabilities by SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime last July 9 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. 


The forum provided substantial information about the reality of potential earthquake scenario in Metro Manila. What to do and how to prepare for disasters and calamities. The attendees were people who are blind, deag, with physical/ orthopedic impaurments, with Down syndrome, Austism, and those with rare disorders. 

Dr.Renato Solidum Jr.
Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Officer-in-Charge  of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., helped us understand the movement of West Valley Fault, what and how to prepare for "The Big One". Will write/share a different article about this.


Dr. Ted Esguerra , Operational Medicine Instructor  of the International Disaster Response Network

Dr. Ted Esguerra, Operational Medicine Instructor  of the International Disaster Response Network discussed preparing for and surviving and earthquake. 

Ms. Lotta Sylwander, Country Representative, UNICEF Philippines Photo credit: SM Cares

Ms. Lotta Sylwander, Country Representative, UNICEF Philippines was also one of the guests in the forum. 


Earthquake Simulation Drills were conducted by dr. Ted Esguerra.


Some PWDs were able to try the simulation drill towards the end of the forum.


Emergency Hotlines


SM Cares. I care ❤

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