The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) in cooperation with DepEd-Pagadian City and Pagadian City LGU conducted a training to introduce new earthquake and tsunami learning materials for Pagadian City teachers. The 1-day training targeted 1 representative teacher each from all the elementary and high school public and private schools of Pagadian City.

The training conducted from 25-27 January was facilitated in 3 batches, and covered topics from earthquake and earthquake hazards, tsunami and its hazards and a review of the 17 August 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake. The second part of the training focused on the introduction and details of the new information materials. The first two are sets of story flashcards that are effective visual aids- Aaahh..Ngayon Alam ko na!!! and 11 Mga dapat gawin kapag may lindol .

In addition, reference materials Talahuluganan ng Tsunami (Tsunami Glossary adapted in Filipino) and Tsunami Teacher (interactive DVD) were also introduced. As culminating activity, the participants were asked to demonstrate how they will use the materials in a classroom setting. A total of 86 schools were represented.

The aim of the training is to provide supplementary teaching materials for schools that can aid teachers in explaining how to prepare and protect oneself, especially school children from earthquake and tsunami occurrences. ·It will be remembered that the coastal communities of Pagadian was one of the severely devastated during the 17 August 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake that generated 5-meter high tsunami. ·The activity is part of the 2010-2011 project “Tsunami Awareness Materials and Preparedness Tools” in collaboration with UN Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO)-Jakarta with funding support from UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). /mlmvillegas