RSE Foundation Inc. (RSEFI) successfully facilitated the RISE Program for Seafarer Communities (RPSC) Citizen Training Program (CTP) and Master of Disaster (MOD) Board Game Session for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) of Bataan Province last July 23, 2026 (Thursday), at the Pavilion, Bataan Tourism Center, Balanga City.
More than 50 PWDs from the 10 local government units in Bataan participated in the activity, in collaboration with the Bataan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and Bataan Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
July of every year is designated for the observance of National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM), by virtue of Executive Order no. 29, series of 2017. Pursuant to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum No. 110 series of 2026, the NDRM 2026 theme is “NAGHAHANDA at KUMIKILOS tungo sa PANATAG na BAGONG PILIPINAS”, which underscores the importance of proactive preparedness and sustained action in building safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities, reinforcing the shared responsibility of all sectors in achieving a secure and resilient Philippines.
Concurrently, July 17-23 of every year is declared as the National Disability Rights Week, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 597 series of 2024, with the culmination on July 23 coinciding with the birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, known as the “Sublime Paralytic”, a noble hero in the Philippines and a PWD himself.
Bataan 1st District Board Member Hon. Mylene Serrano graced the event and delivered the Welcome Remarks. “Disaster Preparedness is a shared responsibility for all Bataeños, and the PWDs are also part of this. PWDs should be actively engaged in Disaster Preparedness activities, as these help them become safe and secure against hazards and disasters. We are thankful to Bataan PDRRMO, Bataan PSWDO, and the RSE Foundation for providing activities such as this to help make Bataeño PWDs prepared and ready for whichever hazard or disaster may happen.”
Bataan PDRRMO Officer-In-Charge Rowena Marie Santos encouraged all PWD participants to be more active and engaged in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities focused on them and their welfare. “We at Bataan PDRRMO focus on the safety and welfare of Bataeños against hazards and disasters. Part of our mandate is to include all sectors in our province and train them on Disaster Preparedness, including the PWDs who are the most vulnerable. We are more than committed to supporting your welfare and to helping you become more capable and empowered, so that you, amongst yourselves, together with your families, can effectively prepare on the level that you can, so you can rise above being victims of hazards and disasters. You are more than capable, and you are more than your disability, and we are here to be your reliable partners.”
RPSC-CTP: Family Disaster Preparedness Lecture
The activity started with the Family Disaster Preparedness Lecture, facilitated by RSEFI Programs and Initiatives Manager Hector Brizuela. “PWDs are not only one of the most vulnerable during hazards and disasters, but the vulnerability itself also extends towards the family members who look after the welfare of the PWD. Therefore, disaster preparedness should be prioritized, given that our country is prone to a lot of hazards. Appropriate and proper family disaster preparedness measures can not only save the lives of PWDs and their families, but also help to build back better, if they are capacitated, empowered, and guided enough.”
Given that PWDs are one of the most vulnerable during hazards and disasters, the discussion focused on PWD-centered proactive disaster preparedness and how they can plan and organize with their family members before, during, and after hazards and disasters.
Part of the Family Disaster Preparedness Lecture is debunking myths tied to hazards and disasters, and correcting notions that are now inappropriate and outdated. Attendees were also given the opportunity to share their insights and feedback on their experiences, which provided a good perspective in engaging with PWDs in the context of Disaster Risk Reduction.
Bataan PDRRMO Admin and Training Division Chief Cherry Anne Bautista thanked the participants for their active participation and the RSE Foundation for its continued support for Bataeños. “We at Bataan PDRRMO thank our valued Bataeño PWDs and the Bataan PSWDO for their commitment towards Disaster Preparedness. This activity is specifically planned for you, and hopefully you may embody the lessons you’ve learned today. We also extend our sincere thanks to RSE Foundation for its passion in engaging with Bataan PDRRMO and for always accommodating requests for Disaster Preparedness lectures when they can. We greatly appreciate you, and we look forward to more activities with you.”
RPSC-MOD Board Game Session
After the RPSC-CTP Session, the MOD Board Game Session was also facilitated, headed by RSEFI Programs Supervisor Josh P. McCarver.
The MOD Board Game, an inclusive and innovative Disaster Preparedness and Response board game developed by Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), teaches players how they can actively prepare for and proactively respond to the most common hazards and disasters in the Philippines, all while having fun.
The PWD participants greatly enjoyed playing the MOD Board Game, which helped synthesize and apply the learnings they got from the Family Disaster Preparedness Lecture.
Representatives from the Municipality of Orani were declared as the Masters of Disaster of the session, securing an accumulated 22 hero tokens. One of the representatives shared that playing the MOD Board helped him learn more about earthquakes, fire, flooding, and typhoons, and how he and his family can prepare for them.
RISE Program for Seafarer Communities is the Disaster Prevention component under the RSE Foundation, partnering with local government units (LGUs) through the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) to activate community-based DRR enrichment sessions and trainings for citizens and sectors.
Special thanks to the Provincial Government of Bataan, headed by Governor Jose Enrique “Joet” Santos, III, together with the Bataan PDRRMO headed by Officer-In-Charge Ms. Rowena Marie Santos, and the Bataan PSWDO headed by Ms. Maria Cristina Lopez, for their guidance and support in making this collaborative activity possible.
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