Filipino and Japanese Youth Exchange Disaster Management Practices in "Koukan"

by: Geomajie Core Group 

Edited by: UP Department of Geography

Participants of the forum take a group photo

On February 15, 2019, the Geomajie core group and the Junior Philippine Geographical Society - UP Diliman, in partnership with the Department of Geography, held a forum on Disaster Management entitled Kouken: Cultural Exchange on Disaster Management. Koukan is Japanese for Exchange.

Ms. Dominique Amorsolo, Instructor of Geography, shares her insights.

The forum focused on how disaster management is handled in the Philippines and Japan. Mr. Youji Ishii, Ms. Moeri Toda, and Ms. Yukiko Nakano from CityNET Youth Japan shared insights and knowledge on how Japan responds to disasters. They presenter different infrastructure projects of the Japanese government, such as underground flood tunnels and the awareness campaigns that are undertaken, such as the Iza! Kaeru Caravan. The caravan is aimed at educating young children and their families about disaster prevention through fun ways. The caravan was conducted in recent visits to Payatas.


Mr. Joel Licup, the Geography Department Representative, presented the different agencies involved in disaster risk reduction in the Philippines. He high lighted that in the past. poverty and insufficient government support have hindered disaster awareness Gradually campaigns conducted by local governments of citizens have increased disaster prevention awareness in the Philippines.

Participants share insights on disaster prevention and awareness strategies of Japan and Philippines.

An open forum gave attendees the opportunity to give insights. The activity ended with a dinner hosted by the Department of Geography.