Rescue, relief program launched

CEBU, Philippines - The Community Defense and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program was launched yesterday aimed at training local officials and 17,000 barangay tanods all over the Province of Cebu to respond to disasters and calamities.

During the launching, mayors, vice mayors, barangay captains and tanod chiefs of Cebu Province gathered at the Cebu International Convention Center in response to the call of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to organize civilian volunteers to assist in the relief and rescue operations during disasters and calamities.

Under the program, the provincial government will sponsor a one-month training to be conducted by the 7th Regional Community Defense Group, Area Reserve Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

Garcia said that after the intensive training, Cebu will have a “huge force” to effectively respond to relief and rescue operations.

Being the battalion commander of the 1st Cebu Ready Reserves of the 701st Community Defense Center, Area Reserve Command of the Philippine Army, Garcia hopes to build up the potential of 17,000 tanods as a reserve force to be the biggest in the entire country that will truly be responsive to possible disasters.

In his keynote speech, Defense Undersecretary Benito Ramos, who is also the administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, said he was happy and overwhelmed by the number of people who attended the launching of the program.

Ramos emphasized that the objective of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is “zero casualties” during disasters and calamities.

Cebu Province is the first local government unit in the country to initiate the program under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

In support to the LGUs, Garcia reiterated that the provincial government is providing P1,500 cash assistance to each barangay tanod per month, distributing tanod kits, providing coverage to the GSIS group accident insurance and enrollment in the PhilHealth Indigency Program.

Garcia led in the signing of the declaration of commitment to the program.

“All component local government units and their officials do hereby commit to actively promote and participate in the community defense and disaster risk reduction and management training program in order to build up equally strong community-based reserve forces and disaster volunteers for emergency purposes,” the declaration states.

The trainings, which will be held within the year in all LGUs in the province, shall focus on disaster relief and rescue operations, fire prevention and suppression, fight against illegal drugs and illegal fishing, environmental protection, maintenance of peace and order and other related socio-economic activities. (FREEMAN)