ILOILO City – To build a disaster-ready generation from the earliest years of childhood, the Iloilo City Government has launched a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Alphabet and a resilience-themed storybook designed to teach young learners the fundamentals of disaster preparedness through engaging, age-appropriate educational materials.
The launch, held on July 2 as part of the opening of the National Disaster Resilience Month celebration, underscores the city’s strategy of embedding disaster awareness into early childhood education by making resilience lessons both accessible and enjoyable for daycare pupils and young children.
The DRR Alphabet introduces disaster risk reduction concepts corresponding to each letter of the alphabet using both Hiligaynon and English words paired with child-friendly illustrations.
Complementing it is “Donna and the Dust Mites”, a resilience storybook written by Public Information Office head Lucy Sinay that promotes cleanliness, responsibility and healthy habits as essential components of building resilient communities.
Illustrations for the DRR Alphabet were created by children and later enhanced by visual artist Mark Vincent Java under the Climate and Disaster Risk Activity Materials Advocacy Project.
A storytelling session led by Mayor Raisa Treñas highlighted the kickoff program, with the mayor reading “Donna and the Dust Mites” to children from Early Childhood Care and Development centers in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district; Barangay Ortiz in the City Proper; Barangay Katilingban, Molo; and PHHC Block 22, Mandurriao.
Daycare pupils also presented the DRR Alphabet to demonstrate what they had learned about disaster preparedness.
“This is one way of showing that our preparation for disaster resilience considers all sectors and all ages. Everybody has to be aware and informed,” Treñas said.
The information and education campaign is a collaborative initiative of the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the University of San Agustin through its Social Advocacy and Community Engagement Office.
The city government also plans to reproduce and distribute the learning materials to public schools and daycare centers across Iloilo City./PN
