Accreditation of disaster volunteers, on-going

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) under Antonette Anaban has started processing the accreditation of its disaster volunteers – individuals and groups — earlier this year.

Local DRRM Officer III Louie Glen Lardizabal, in a June 29 media forum at City Hall, said 55 individuals and three groups have already submitted their applications and signified their willingness and commitment to become part of the CDRRMO’s disaster volunteers.

“We are now collecting all of the data needed to process their accreditation so that they can be given the proper support in case they are going to be helping us in future emergencies, crises or disasters that may befall the city,” he said.

These volunteers will serve  as augmentation forces or force multipliers during times of hazards or emergencies, Lardizabal added.

“Disaster risk reduction management is everybody’s business and should be a whole society approach. We all have a role to play since nobody is exempt from hazards or emergencies no matter what your status in life is.  So everybody should do their part in disaster management,” he stressed.    

In a similar forum last March, 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.

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.

Among the benefits of accreditation are being included in CDRRMO trainings, possibility of getting insured by the city government, and more, Lardizabal said.

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