by Lito Dar

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD-CAR)is looking for abled males and females who want to be members of the Civil Defense Volunteer Group being formed that will assist OCD in implementing community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) efforts in the region.


According to OCD-CAR Operations officer Ronald Villa,those who will volunteer will be trained on skills and systems, and will be part of the support group in line with their goal to establish a disaster prepared family and community. This will be done through awareness, education, and the spirit of volunteerism, as well as for the enhancement of community-based DRRM programs.

At present, there are already five volunteers and hopefully there will be more to come, Villa said.
“It is our mission to help the community in establishing strategic, independent, and competent risk reduction measures and provide the members with knowledge enhancement and continuing education in DRRM, as well as skills training on life support, rescue and survival techniques,” Villa said.

For those who are interested to join the group, Villa said that a volunteer must be at least 18 years old and not more than 40 years old, of good moral values, friendly, and goal oriented. He must also be active, hard working, dedicated to serve the community, and has an interest in DRRM activities.

For being a member of the Civil Defense Volunteer Group, he/she will be educated on DRRM Knowledge, Leadership Training, and DRRM-related Skills Training – such as Basic Life Support, Basic Search and Rescue, Rope handling techniques, etc.

Volunteers will also be given Certificates of Membership and certificates of Trainings, aside from the opportunity to travel to different parts or provinces of the region.

The volunteer members will support the operation OCD-CAR in terms of monitoring, reporting, and documentation of DRRM activities; updating of Information, Communication Technology (ICT) facilities; disaster operations; and community disaster preparedness efforts. Members will also assists in conducting DRRM seminars/workshops, skills training, and other DRRM activities.

For more information, you can call OCD-CAR at telephone number 444-5298 or 304-2256. (LD-PIA CAR)