A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today, Wednesday, November 21, 2024, between ACDI Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ACDI MPC), the largest cooperative in the country, and Save Zone, a Korean company, at the Villamor Air Base Golf Club in Pasay City.
The agreement marks a major milestone in the creation of the country’s first modern survival school.
Retired Major General Gilbert Llanto, Chairman of ACDI MPC, and Mr. Park Gi Yong, representing Save Zone, formalized the partnership. Under the agreement, ACDI MPC will allocate a portion of its properties in the CALABARZON region for the school’s construction, while Save Zone will bring in investors to fund the school and complementary facilities, including hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other ventures.
These initiatives aim to generate revenue for local government, ACDI MPC members, and the nation as a whole.
Chairman Llanto said that the survival school will cater to both Filipino and international students, focusing on training responders to manage disasters and emergencies effectively.
This initiative will strengthen the Philippines’ disaster response capabilities while bolstering tourism.
Chairman Llanto underscored the project’s importance in addressing the growing complexity of disasters exacerbated by climate change.
The survival school will feature modern training programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert personnel to meet these challenges.
The development is envisioned as a mixed-use project, integrating disaster preparedness with commercial opportunities. Discussions with local government units and relevant agencies will follow the MOU signing to secure necessary permits and operationalize the project.
The facilities will also be made available to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), local governments, ROTC cadets, and other organizations involved in disaster and emergency response, particularly in light of the potential for significant natural disasters, such as a magnitude 8 earthquake.
This groundbreaking project provides a unique opportunity for the government to enhance disaster preparedness without allocating funds for construction, equipment, or training, as private investors will fully fund the initiative.
Additionally, the survival school is anticipated to attract local and international tourists, contributing further to the country’s economic growth. (Ret Brig Gen Gerardo M Zamudio, Jr.)
