Thank You For Making A Difference

Prior to returning to the United States, we had the opportunity to receive several Certificates of Recognition. But also present certificates to the several hundreds of people we trained.



But the real recognition was knowing that our time here will have an impact on the other side of the world, in a developing region, with people who are truly amazing.



Pictured above with Mario Verner Monsanto Executive Officer of the Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council (DCDCC) and Central 911. Receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Col. Monsanto and Rodrigo Duterte, City Mayor and Chairman of the DCDCC.


Picture above at the University of Mindanao, with representatives from the Council of Deans for IT Education and Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation.

Thank you again for all the gifts and also the official uniforms provided by Central 911, Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council, and official Office of Civil Defense/National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) hat.

Festival VIP Treatment and Protection

The Kadayawan Festival was made even more special with all the VIP treatment we received. Thank you to all of the people we have met during the time we spent in the region.

It was great for groups of people to come up to us, while doing their role at the festival and thanking us for the training, knowledge, and friendship we provided.

But was even better was to know that in the event of a major emergency or disaster that many of the people that were there protecting us, are all well trained in the Incident Command System (ICS) and can all answer the question "Who's In Charge".

From the volunteers, to the response teams, to the NGOs, to the University students, to the government folks. It was great to see everyone come together for such a great celebration. You are a team! And a role model for others around the world.

The following is a list of SOME of the many organizations we worked with.

• Central 911
• Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council
• Region XI Disaster Coordinating Council
• Office of Civil Defense
• Philippine Army
• Philippine National Police
• Task Force Davao
• Philippines Coast Guard
• Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
• Barangay Fire and Rescue
• Department of Health
• Filipino Chinese Firefighters Foundation
• Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade
• Barangay Captains
• Silver Needles
• Davao City Police
• Davao City Traffic Division
• Davao City Jail
• Davao City Bomb Squad
• Davao City Special Anti-Terrorism Unit
• United Nations
• Panabo City
• Island Garden City of Samal
• Tribal Community
• Davao City Government
• Davao Light and Power Company
• Davao City Water District
• Office of the President, Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Davao City Council, City Administrator, and Legislators
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry
• Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Davao Tourism
• DabaweGNU
• Davao International Airport
• Port of Davao
• Toril International Fish Port
• Davao Doctors Hospital
• Davao Medical Center Hospital
• Philippines National Red Cross
• University of Mindanao
• Ateneo de Davao University
• University of the Immaculate Conception
• University of Southeastern Philippines
• Holly Cross University
• Council of Deans for IT Education
• Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators Foundation
• Davao Technopreneurship
  
  and last but not least, all the VOLUNTEERS and all the people of the region.

Turn On Your Lights for National Night Out, Then Shut it Off to Conserve Energy Around the World

As part of kickoff activities here in the Philippines and in preparation for National Night Out in the United States, I had the honor of presenting Mr. Edgar Salanio from the Regional Coordinating Council and Office of Civil Defense with a self powered led flashlight from back home.

Mr. Salanio spent some time in the United States and is a highly respected instructor in the Philippines. He teaches every major organization that would be impacted or respond to a disaster or major emergency. It has been an excellent opportunity to work side by side with him and everyone from RDCC and DCDCC.

I was presented with a hat from the National Disaster Coordinating Council and Office of Civil Defense.

Neighbors helping Neighbors, Locally and Around the World. This is truly friends making new friends to help others be better prepared. Once we return home, we look forward to Mr. Salanio providing regular articles to the Neighbors Helping Neighbors blog.

Additional information about National Night Out, which other countries may consider implementing, can be found at: http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/