QC strengthens volunteer program

MANILA, Philippines -  Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has ordered the creation of a volunteer and citizenship desk in the city in a bid to harness available human resources in the community for voluntary services in various activities of the city government.

Bautista issued an executive order last week to institutionalize the volunteer program, which will be known as Bayanihang Bayan sa QC program. He appointed Albert Seno, head of the city’s community relations office, as the focal person for the new initiative.

Based on the executive order, the volunteer desk shall be responsible in keeping a profile and database of all available volunteers who can be tapped and mobilized by the city government to render voluntary work.

In addition to community endeavors, Bautista said the volunteers may also be tapped during calamities, disasters, emergencies, and other similar occurrences.

A database for volunteer demand will also be created for matching purposes.

The mayor said plans to set up volunteer and citizenship desks in private companies and organizations in the city are also being considered.  

The executive order requires an annual submission of the list of volunteers, as well as updates on the registry and activities of the program, to the office of the city mayor.