The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has formally signed agreements with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to have teachers and the youth involved in becoming lifesavers and leaders.
In a speech during the ceremonial signing of the memoranda of agreement (MOA) with DepEd and CHED, Chairman Richard Gordon said the partnerships will help more individuals to prepare for and respond to disasters.
“This is a strong partnership between PRC and the education sector. Aside from educating the youth on the techniques of how to respond during disasters, we are also passing onto them the values of humanitarianism and volunteerism,” Gordon said.
Under the MOA, PRC trains Red Cross Youth(RCY) advisers from DepEd and CHED schools to form a pool of trainers who will eventually educate students on first aid and disaster resilience, as well as raise awareness on PRC’s activities through RCY councils and Red Cross 143, the arm of community-based volunteers.
Prior to the formal signing, PRC has already trained 1,094 Deped advisers from Camarines Norte, Cebu, La Union, Pasay, Quezon City, and North Cotabato, as well as 295 advisers from universities and colleges in various provinces.
The partnership will be integrated in the implementing rules and regulation of the Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017.
“The involvement of PRC will enhance the act’s Return Service System, which encourages student to give back to the community through volunteerism,” CHED Officer-in-Charge Chairman Prospero De Vera announced. (PRC release)