Caraga RDRRMC inks partnership with private orgs to strengthen DRRM
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY -- To strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of its disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) tapped seven more private/volunteer organizations to help boost its manpower and resources in times of disaster.
RDRRMC Chairperson Liza R. Mazo said the partnership, which was recently
formalized through a signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, is part of the
Council's efforts to further capacitate all aspects of its disaster operations.
"Ang membership naman ng RDRRMC per law is mostly [composed of] government
agencies and tatlong na private organizations. So what we did was inextend
natin 'yan through partnership (The membership of RDRRMC per law is mostly
composed of government agencies and three private organizations. So what we did
was to extend it through partnership)," said the Office of Civil Defense
(OCD) regional director.
The three existing partner organizations are the Caraga Alliance of DRRM
Officers (CADRRMOs), Rescue and Emergency Service Provider and Disaster
(RESPOND) Inc., and Sibog Katawhan Alang sa Paglambo (SIKAP) Inc.
Mazo said these seven new partner private/volunteer organizations specialize in
various fields of disaster response, from volunteer work to animal welfare.
"Maraming aspeto ng disaster 'yung matutulungan nila. In terms of disaster
preparedness, pwede silang mag-facilitate ng training through our help and tayo
'yung magpapa-conduct ng training na sila 'yung participant. Pwede na din natin
maabot 'yung mga sektor na nirerepresentahan nila dahil kadalasan, mga LGUs
lang 'yung nakakaabot sa kanila (They can help with different aspects of
disaster operations. In terms of disaster preparedness, they can facilitate
training through our help and they can also participate in our training. We can
now reach sectors that they represent, which are usually accessible to
LGUs)," said the RDRRMC chair.
Animal welfare group Hearts for Paws has been operating in Butuan City since
2017, advocating for animal care and responsible pet ownership. They also
rescue abandoned and impounded animals and set them up for adoption. Five years
into their operation and with only over 20 active volunteers, Hearts for Paws
has been officially recognized by the city government of Butuan as their
partner in promoting animal welfare.
The group is also working on spreading awareness on the Animal Welfare Act of
1998 (Republic Act No. 8485), which, according to founder Tweety Butao, is
still not well-implemented in the country.
"During disasters, there are many animals that are neglected, ignored,
left behind. Of course, human lives are the top priority but animals also have
lives," she said.
"Through this partnership, through our group, we are trying to spread
awareness on how to prevent loss of lives during these situations," she
added.
PETSARAG, a volunteer action group based in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur
province, specializes in swift water and high-angle rescue and emergency
telecommunications. Its 30 active members are not only skilled in search and
rescue operations and disaster response, but also in providing training.
The group started in 2010 with only a few members who provide volunteer
services to communities in Bayugan City during disasters. Four years later,
this group of volunteers would then be eventually known as PETSARAG.
For PETSARAG founding president Dante E. Sayon, the partnership with RDRRMC
will help the group expand its services to communities across Caraga Region and
boost its credibility as a volunteer action group.
"Nakilala na 'yung PETSARAG, hindi lang sa city at provincial level pati
na sa regional level. Mas maganda 'yon, pero malaki na din 'yung responsibility
namin kasi partner na so kailangan talagang magrespond kung kinakailangan
(PETSARAG is now recognized not only in the city and provincial levels but also
in the regional level. This is great but this also means we now hold a greater
responsibility since we are considered partners, so we have to respond when
needed)," he said.
With this new development, RDRRMC is hoping to encourage more groups to
collaborate with them.
"Maaasahan ninyo na kami sa RDRRMC ay tutulong din sa inyong
activities para mas masustain 'yung mga programa ninyo (You can count on us in
the RDRRMC to help with your activities to sustain your programs),"
Director Mazo said. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)
