OPERATION KAJO:  A Student-Led Disaster Response for Farmers in Benguet

As an educational institution, the Cordillera Career Development College, whose mission is to deliver quality education through holistic, accessible and inclusive learning experiences to build socially and environmentally responsible global leaders and citizens provide opportunities for them to learn beyond the walls of the school’s halls.  Even during the pandemic, students learn responsiveness and disaster risk management through hands-on experiences and through collaboration with private organizations with shared goals related to disaster management and  response.  

The Philippines is one of the most hazard-prone countries in the world. Benguet is a mountainous region in Northern Philippines that is home to indigenous Cordillera groups, the majority of whom rely on highland vegetable growing as their primary source of livelihood. According to studies and data, the Municipality of La Trinidad is prone to flooding and landslides brought on by approximately 10-15 typhoons that hit the locality annually.  In October 2021, Typhoon Maring hit La Trinidad, and the entire Benguet Province causing severe damage to vegetable crops, resulting in collective loss of millions of pesos for local farmers. 

Students, guided by school personnel, coordinated with the Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation and the Shell Foundation for a needs-based disaster response activity. The disaster response initiatives aim to integrate interpersonal engagement, volunteerism and civic responsibility among the ADMIRALS (Administrator, Mentors and Personnel, Investors, and Parents, Retirees and former employees, Alumni and Local Government, community and Students) while advocating genuine social responsibility and continuous efforts for climate action.

BAYANIHAN continues! In the spirit of binnadang, aduyon we continue to support each other. Thank you Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. and Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF)! Rice and vegetable seedlings were given to around 50 identified beneficiaries, farmers affected by Typhoon Maring.

Iyaman to our volunteers!

IYAMAN Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. & Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) for the Typhoon Maring Relief Operations.

We pray for stronger partnership in the years ahead to benefit our community, our province. Matago-tago tako am-in.