CDRRMC accredits 32 registered volunteers

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by Mayor Benjamin Magalong affirmed its resolution approving the accreditation of 32 registered volunteers under the CDRRM Office’s (CDRRMO) Baguio Disaster Volunteer Management Unit (BDVMU) as their volunteer mobilizing organization (VMO).

Approval was given during the CDRRMC’s full council meeting, March 2, at a local hotel and co-presided by City Mayor’s Office chief-of-staff and CDRRMC action officer Engr. Felipe Puzon and CDRRMO head Antonette Anaban, chief secretariat. Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan also joined the meeting.

The volunteers are: Hazel Kate Afidchao, Romel Akuking, Esther Banawe, Romeo Bano-oy Jr., John Mumuar Basallo, Rina Aurora Baydal, Johnrey Binwag, Laarnie Calindas, Sherwin Chaguile, Luisa Collado, Donna Contaoi, Julius Cutit, Leonora Depalog, Rolyn Dingayan, Daisy Marie Ekid and Ana Marjorie Foster.

Also included are: Shan Garcia, Cherry Ann Gunan, Merjan Hambon, Renalyn Manga, Lean Marlette Maquito, Luther Prime Melecio, Alexander Moleta, Laurence Oliver Navalta, Jet Anthony Neric, Catherine Ng Fung, Elvie Oyangwa, Rodel Ramos, Valdemar Sawad, Romer Tanyag, Roel Anthony Uminga and Gerald Valentin.

Local DRRM Officer II Kenneth Khayog said more than a hundred individual volunteers have registered with the CDRRMO but only these 32 have confirmed to pursue their volunteering at his office.

The registered volunteers will receive group insurance, free trainings and personal protective equipment (PPE), he disclosed.

Anaban said that the CDRRMO recognized the importance of volunteers in DRRM that it established the BDVMU to be manned by individual volunteers who will assist the CDRRMO in managing the affairs of accredited volunteers and providing secretariat services to the pending creation of a Baguio Local Volunteer Council.

Republic Act 9418, or the Volunteer Act of 2007, mandates the establishment of volunteer programs in national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to promote and encourage volunteering in government programs and projects and also enjoins government employees to render volunteer service in social, economic and humanitarian development undertakings in the community.

It also stipulates that VMOs, such as LGUs, shall take full responsibility for the enhancement, welfare and protection of their volunteers and shall submit the list of volunteers to the Office of Civil Defense for accreditation and inclusion in the database of community disaster volunteers.

National DRRMC memorandum circular 2021-64, dated June 8, 2021, states that government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector, and LGUs may mobilize individuals or organize volunteers to augment their respective personnel complement and logistical requirements in the delivery of DRRM programs and activities. – Gaby B. Keith