The Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) during the first Full Council Meeting held February 28, 2025 approved a resolution for the accreditation of 23 additional volunteers.
The 23 volunteers accredited belong to the 1401st Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (RRIBn) under the Philippine Army.
The approval of additional volunteers brings the total of accredited disaster response volunteers to a total of 99 as members of the Baguio CDRRM Office’s (CDRRMO) with Baguio Disaster Volunteer Management Unit (BDVMU) as their volunteer mobilizing organization (VMO).
Last year, the CDRRMC accredited 76 volunteers under the Kabalikat and BBPICAG civic groups.
The registered volunteers will receive group insurance, free training and personal protective equipment (PPE) subject to existing government policies and procedures according to Engr. Charles Bryan Carame, head of the CDRRMO.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong earlier directed the CDRRMO to establish the BDVMU as he recognized the importance of volunteers in disaster response, risk reduction and management.
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.
Said law 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.
In 2023, City Ordinance no. 64 was adopted pursuant to the Volunteer Act of 2007 enjoining all residents, whether in government service or not, to render volunteer service in social, economic and humanitarian development undertakings in the community.
“Volunteerism has the potential to lead to stronger communities, capacity development and increased social capital that would eventually redound to gaining benefits from sustainable community development,” the measure states. – Baguio City Public Information Office
