Cordillera Administrative Region- In line with this year’s observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month, the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) Project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has spearheaded a training on Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM).
As of this writing, 1, 657 community volunteers from 25 municipalities in the region currently implementing the first and second cycle of Kalahi-CIDSS under the National Community Driven Development Program (NCDDP) modality were trained on first aid, basic life support and basic rescue techniques.
In partnership with the Local DRMM and the Bureau of Fire Protection in the area, topics such as understanding weather forecast, role of community during disaster, evacuation protocols and climate change among others were also discussed.
Aside from DRRM, Kalahi-CIDSS also conducted Community-Driven Development and Gender and Development (GAD) Learning Workshop with the community volunteers.
“The activity is part of our effort to empower people as a community and capacitating our volunteers to be resilient during disasters is one way of empowering them,” Kalahi-CIDSS Deputy Regional Program Manager Imelda Tuguinay said.
“Knowing that volunteers can do well in performing first aides and understanding weather forecast among other things would lessen our worries for the communities we serve,” she added.
During the training in Buguias, Benguet, Charlie Bayacsan, one of the community volunteers expressed that his days became very fruitful since he started volunteering. “We are learning helpful skills such as disaster management which we could apply for ourselves and especially to our community,” he shared in vernacular.
Jerome Sabino, another community volunteer in Buguias also told Kalahi-CIDSS staff and Municipal Local Government Unit of Buguias personnel to continue implementing the Kalahi-CIDSS project. He shared that this gave them the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge.
The training started last July in each municipality covered by Kalahi-CIDSS including Pudtol, Apayao; Daguioman, Danglas, Dolores, Lagangilang, Lagayan, Licuan-Baay, Manabo, Peňarubia, San Juan, Tineg, and Villavisciosa, Abra; Bauko, Barlig, Sagada and Tadian, Mountain Province; Hungduan and Mayoyao, Ifugao; Atok, Bakun, Buguias, Kabayan, Kapangan, Kibungan and Tublay, Benguet. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Jasmin P. Kiaso
