CDRRMO volunteer accreditation in full swing

Four civic groups and 28 individuals have so far filed their intentions to be accredited as volunteers under the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) since it opened its accreditation portal more than a week ago with more applications expected in the coming days.   

Local DRRM Officer III Louie Glen Lardizabal said all those wanting to become volunteers, no matter what their stations in life may be, could register for accreditation at cdrrmovmo@gmail.com.     

He stressed the importance of accreditation in order for volunteers to receive the proper protection when helping the Summer Capital during disasters.     

Lardizabal said  his office only recently opened the portal for registration since they just received a National DRRMC memorandum on the guidelines on accreditation, mobilization and protection of community disaster volunteers.  

“We have always wanted to accredit our volunteers but there was no legal basis to do so.  With this memorandum, we now have the legal basis to earmark an amount to at least provide them with insurance so that they have some protection when they are helping the city during hazards,” Lardizabal said.   

He said a volunteer must be a Baguio resident; not below 18 years of age and those aged 18 to 21 must have parental consent; the CDRRMO does not accept those who are students or are currently enrolled in school and only those who are working and already independent can register as volunteers.     

Several of the applications had to be rejected for not meeting the requirements of accreditation, Lardizabal said.    

Among the benefits of being accredited are being included in CDRRMO training, possibility of getting insured by the city government, and more.

Those interested can call the CDRRMO at 442-1900 and 1905 for more information. – Gaby B. Keith