The PTC Project RISE Team successfully completed the pilot RISE
Balayan Master Trainers Basic First Aid Training on November 08 at
the 2nd Floor AVP Room, Balayan Government Center. The activity is
part of Project RISE’s sustained community engagement with its
partner communities and was designed to help educate the Balayan
community leaders on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
(DRRM) capacity-building activities and programs.

50 RISE Balayan Master Trainers and Balayan Municipal Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) listened attentively
and proactively participated in the Basic First Aid Lecture and
Demonstration. They learned how to apply proper bandaging
techniques and other relative skills that they will need to administer
proper basic first aid in emergency situations.

The initiative was made possible through
the support of the Municipality of Balayan
Officials, headed by Mayor JR Fronda with
Municipal Admin EnP. Gonzalo Baral,
Municipal Councilor Raymund De la Vega,
Balayan MDRRM Officer Mr. Christian Noel
Villanueva, and Project RISE Advocate Mr.
Carlos Ermita Alvarez.

Project RISE, together with Smart
Development Institute (SDI), also had a
discussion with Balayan Municipality
Officials on November 7 at the Balayan
Government Center on possible digital
connectivity programs in Barangay Patugo
where internet connectivity is still a
challenge for residents.

In attendance was SIP-PEP Director
Capt. Stan Santiago and PTC Shipping
Cluster Head of Strategic Planning Mr.
Leslie Suntay, together with SDI
President and US-Philippines Society
Member Mr. Roberto Llames. Project
RISE Advocate and former Councilor
Carlos Ermita Alvarez spearheaded the
meeting with the Balayan LGU headed
by Mayor JR Fronda with Municipal
Administrator Mr. Gonzalo Baral.

On October 27, Project RISE successfully conducted an introductory and
alignment meeting for the RISE Balayan Mobile App with the MDRRMO Balayan
Officials and Personnel, headed by MDRRM Officer Christian Noel Villanueva.

The RISE Balayan Mobile App is a
technology solution developed by its
partner, Smart Development Institute
(SDI), in collaboration with the USPhilippines Society, aiming to
establish, implement, and sustain
disaster preparedness programs, aid
the digital transformation of ProjectRISE partner communities, and bridge
the communication and collaboration
gaps between the LGU and its citizens.

Balayan MDRRMO officials and personnel were able to download the RISE Balayan Mobile App and gave their feedback on the usage of the app.