As second homes to children, schools play a vital role in providing safe and nurturing environments where students can learn and grow. In times of crises, equipping school communities with the knowledge, skills, and resources to respond effectively is essential to safeguarding learners’ well-being and strengthening resilience.
Underscoring their #KonektedforResilience advocacy, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) partnered with the Department of Education Region VIII (DepEd Region VII), the Department of Education Schools Division of Tacloban City (DepEd Tacloban City), and St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban Inc. (STEFTI) to conduct a three-day series of wellness and resilience-building activities in Tacloban City.
“With the recent crisis faced by our division, we found it timely and necessary to provide psychosocial support to our learners and empower our school heads to become psychological first aiders. Beyond building knowledge and skills, this effort helps ensure that our schools remain safe and inclusive spaces for all Taclobanon learners,” said Sherlita A. Palma, DepEd Tacloban City Schools Division Superintendent.
Grade 9 and 10 students from San Jose National High School participated in a mental wellness session that taught them practical strategies for managing personal challenges and responding to crisis situations they may encounter in their daily lives. The initiative was likewise extended to junior and senior high school students of STEFTI.
Through interactive discussions and activities, the learners gained a better understanding of common stressors, healthy coping mechanisms, and mental health myths, as well as learned appropriate responses to difficult situations while maintaining their mental well-being.
Meanwhile, a training-of-trainers session on Psychological First Aid (PFA) equipped DepEd Tacloban City school heads and STEFTI teaching and non-teaching personnel with practical tools to provide immediate psychosocial support during emergencies. Participants were also encouraged to cascade these learnings to their fellow teachers and staff.
“The partnership with PLDT and Smart allowed us to have students and representatives from our school participate in these important initiatives. While we are trained as educators, understanding mental health and helping students care for their well-being requires specialized expertise. We greatly appreciate and welcome every opportunity to strengthen our capabilities and provide better support to our students,” said Mary Bernadette Palami, school director at STEFTI.
DepEd Tacloban City and STEFTI also received PLDT and Smart’s “Ang Paglalakbay ni Tala” (The Adventure of Tala) books to help raise awareness on internet safety among children and encourage them to be responsible digital citizens.
“Children and the youth are among our most important stakeholders, and their safety and well-being, both offline and online, remain among PLDT and Smart’s priorities. We are grateful to work alongside DepEd and STEFTI in reaching students in Tacloban and helping foster environments where they feel secure, supported, and empowered,” said Marylou B. Gocotano, Stakeholder Engagement Visayas Relations head at PLDT and Smart.
These efforts are aligned with PLDT and Smart’s commitment to helping the country achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG No. 3: Mental Well-being and Health and SDG No. 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
