The Need
The Philippines ranks first among 193 countries for disaster vulnerability in the 2022 World Risk Index. With 22 active volcanoes, a tsunami-susceptible coastline, and regular exposure to earthquakes and typhoons, the country faces some of the world’s most severe natural hazard risks. Between 2010 and 2019, it lost 12,097 lives and incurred over 400 billion Philippine pesos in damages — with Super Typhoon Haiyan alone claiming 6,300 lives. Despite the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010, community-level implementation remains a persistent challenge. The 27.6 million most impoverished Filipinos bear the greatest burden of disasters, while the youth — over 40% of the population — remain critically underserved in disaster preparedness education, leaving communities dangerously underprepared for hazards that are not a question of if, but when.
The Intervention
ASSIST, in partnership with Shell Pilipinas Corporation and with endorsement from the Batangas City Local Government Unit, rolled out the Master of Disaster (MOD) board game across 15 public elementary schools in Batangas City. Developed by ASSIST, MOD teaches disaster risk reduction — covering typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and fires — through gamification, while fostering teamwork and community values. To support the rollout, 225 teachers underwent Training of Trainers sessions to cascade DRRM concepts to a target of 8,100 students. ASSIST then conducted a mixed-methods evaluation — surveying 157 students, conducting eight focus group discussions, and ten key informant interviews — assessing outcomes across mainstreaming, awareness, and values formation.
Country:
Phillippines
SDGs:
Key Priority Area/s:
Disaster Risk Management
Skills, Education and Entrepreneurship
Donor:
Shell Pilipinas Corporation
Partners:
Batangas City Local Government Unit, Department of Education (DepEd) School Division Office of Batangas City
8,000+
Students reached across 15 public elementary schools in Batangas City, supported by 225 teachers trained through Training of Trainers sessions on MOD facilitation and DRRM concepts
Goals Achieved:
9
Schools surveyed fully mainstreamed MOD into school activities and lessons, with students playing independently during free periods, recess, and catch-up Fridays
Goals Achieved:
84.67%
Mainstreaming score among schools with free access to the game (12.7/15), demonstrating a clear link between play frequency and game mastery
Goals Achieved:
87.8%
Overall disaster response preparedness score (10.54/12), with students able to correctly identify two to three appropriate responses across all four hazard types — typhoons, earthquakes, fires, and floods
Goals Achieved:
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