NSTP: More fun in UST!

At first, I thought that the National Service Training Program of UST would just be another subject that I have to take in College. All about fieldworks and stuffs, getting a partner community and done. But UST-NSTP obliterate my first impression. And what I meant wrong is that it opened my eyes and see the reality of what was really happening in the society. The program is not like any other General Education programs, I can say that it's more than that. It taught me how to value life, to reach out, and to act. It awakened my sleeping thought and put me in a state wherein I can feel what those less-fortunate are feeling. It's just that we take things for granted without realizing how truly blessed we are. We had never think that the basic things we have are actually the aspirations of others. We are so Blinded.

LUMAD Killings. Corruption. Poverty. These are just some of the social issues we tackled in NSTP. I am quite surprised that there really is an inequality present in a conservative country like the Philippines. A feeling of anger, disappointment, and frustration arose my soul as I watched videos to videos about this stupid steps of the government in their pursuit of addressing the problem. The administration kept on making short-term solutions that'll eventually worn out and add another problem! Isn't this simple stupidity? And also the Killings, especially the Lumads. Social Injustice that roots from Capitalism. Why is it that some of us bothered to be one with Paris during those Paris Killings without even noticing that there are killings too in our country! Why do we submerge ourselves in apathy? Why do some of us don't even care? We are too blinded by media that covers only select topics that'll improve their ratings consecutively. This is why we are so shallow. Our country has embraced the idea of capitalism without us realizing its negative attributes.

Next top, DRRM! It was one of the best moments I've had with my groupmates. See how NSTP taught me to socialize and meet new friends!

Digging deeper, the essence of having a NSTP subject primarily on capacity-building as our country is directly affected by Disasters, either man-made or natural. I learned that DISASTER RISK has its formula (Risk=Hazard+Vulnerability/Capacity). This is why we have to attend two seminars this semester in order to further improve our knowledge and skills towards an inevitable situation. Capacity for me is the combination of all strengths and resources available within a community that may reduce the level of risk or after effects of a disaster. I find these seminars very “handy” and helpful during these times as we are all suffering from the effects of climate change. Climate change is related to disasters. As I define disaster a serious disruption in the functioning of a community involving widespread human, material, economic losses. NSTP taught us how to value the sense of bayanihan during those times wherein help is really needed. It creates an atmosphere of teamwork and oneness in achieving a common goal. Afterwards, we also played a game entitled “Bahay-Tao-Bagyo Game” when squeezed the message altogether, it spurts out a lesson imparted in each and every one who participated the game. We learned lots of things, from CPR to bandages and on how to properly apply them. We learned how to asses first the situation during emergency cases, the proper information to be sent out in an emergency call and so on and so forth. First aids are typically the life savers in every situation but in case of its absence, we can have other “first-aids”. The two seminars conducted taught us how to be ready.

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These activities should be widespread, I mean, we are in a country where Disaster risks are inevitable. We have to maximize our potentials and resources in order to save more lives, properties and etc. I find these seminars very helpful the fact that we’re in a country of typhoon and other natural disasters.

So, in order to improve my learnings in DRRM, I've recently conducted an ambush interview in our Barangay last December 12, 2015. It aims to widen my understanding about the said topic, thus, it'll also help us in future references. So I packed my things and went to our Barangay Hall in Barangay Perez, Meycauayan city, Bulacan. Then I was welcomed by Mr. Terry Ramirez, the official in-charge of the Barangay's DRRM.

The whole interview was fun! I never expected it to be that fun, considering my stereotypes about Barangay Officials being serious, task-driven individuals. It seems that the interview is some sort of a Casual talk. So I learned that the Barangay's DRRM is patterned on "I'm Ready", the GMAnews and Public affairs advocacy on disaster readiness. He implied that the barangay had identified the flood-prone areas in the area, and purchased the right equipments (chainsaws, ropes, and other realtive to DRRM) to address the problems whenever a disaster strikes our area. So I asked him how ready our Barangay really is whenever a disaster strikes, He said that all vehicles of the Barangay are to be used, and all barangay officials coordinated. From Garbage trucks to the ambulance, to service vehicles. This is what the barangay called "Public address system". So I asked if there are any safe place identified whenever a disaster occurs. He stated two places, the Barangay's Sports complex and the Perez Elementary School, spacious enough to adequate the population of Perez.After my DRRM interview, I asked him what can we expect from the barangay or what projects have they implemented for the different sectors of the society. With the abolition of Sangguiang Kabataan, the barangay established "Pag-asa youth Associates of Barangay forces" initiated by the CSWD. They also focused on Sports development for the youth by hosting tournaments, sponsoring etc. The Senior Citizens won't be left behind of course! The barangay has its own Senior Citizens Association wherein senior can enjoy their life with free foods, Lakbay aral, and many more activities that'll bring joy and fun to everyone who's present!

After realizing I had all the infos I needed, I bid my goodbye to this great man. I learned a lot from my experience :)

Truly NSTP is more fun in UST!