Experience is the best teacher for it to serve its meaning, and it is continuous. Little did we know, those people who are under-appreciated are sometimes can be the heroes that truly cares. Only then, we can see and acknowledge who they are?
How challenging yet fulfilling at the same time can live for someone to be part of an agency that works for the people like the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO)? The journey of its workers and volunteers in this service has brought them many experiences that teach them. As they live, they become more driven for better service to people.
Birth of MDRRMO
Based on the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act or RA 10121 Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management tends to provide a comprehensive, all-hazard, multi-sectoral, inter-agency, and community-based approach to disaster risk management through the formulation of the National Disaster Risk Management Framework (NDRMF).
Whereas, the National Disaster Risk Management Plan (NDMP) is being developed, and implemented as the master plan that will provide the strategies, organization, tasks of concerned agencies and local government units and other guidelines in dealing with disasters or emergencies.
The act deviated from the policy environment which the country deals with disasters from merely preparedness response. The significant feature of this law is its call for mainstreaming on disaster risk reduction in physical and land-use planning, budget, infrastructure, education, health, environment, housing, and other sectors.
La Trinidad recognizes MDRRMO and its 144 volunteers
In light with this, the Municipality of La Trinidad awarded a plaque of recognition to the MDRRMO and to all its 144 La Trinidad Accredited Community Disaster Volunteers (ACDV).
These volunteers embodied the values and ideals into noteworthy projects and programs primarily benefitting its members and the communities for being a staunch partner in the common pursuit of a peaceful and progressive municipality given on June 16, 2023.
Yoshio P. Labi, Municipal Disaster Officer, stated that volunteers were awarded based on their contributions at different activities and trainings wherein the office had implemented.
“Everyone can be a volunteer. They could come in our office during their free-time and join us on our implemented training and other related activities. Some other volunteers may not be coming every day in the office to feel their presence however when a disaster or emergency happens, they are just being one call-away,” he added.
Apparently, given these activities and many situations, the volunteers have indulged their lives in trainings and rescue operations, which taught them significant and practical learnings to be saving warriors for others through the years of their service.
Volunteers’ experiences
Jerwel S. Alones, Operations and Rescuing/Trainer Coordinator and LDRRMO II, shared that one of his memorable experiences in the service was in 2015-2016.
During this time, severe flooding incidents happened in some areas of La Trinidad: Sitio Toyong of Barangay Pico; Betag; BAPTC area; boundary of Puguis; and, some other portions of Upper Wangal.
It took them the whole day and night in conducting their rescue operations. They also spent three more days to finish and clear those areas.
“Although ada iti inted tayo iti residents nga agevacuate da before jay sought ti typhoons nga dagijay ket ammo tayo ngarod nu handa pay nga narikna jay flood handa agevacuate, edi narikna dan nga ada idjay ket nginmato en jay danum santu da agtawtawag ti response (Although we have warned our residents to evacuate before the sought of the typhoon, they are still not complying until they felt the flood. When they felt the rise of the water, that is the time they are calling for a response),” Alones expressed.
Henceforth, four to five teams that underwent the said rescue operation had it successful as they managed to save four households despite the lack of manpower.
In addition, due to these experiences and exposure to rescue operations, Alones also reiterated that he became more enthusiastic about doing this kind of service for the people.
The readiness every time he joins training to learn more becomes evident. His volunteerism led him to become part of the management leaders of responders in MDRRMO.
Moreover, his experiences as a volunteer-responder helped him to head the management, which assesses and gives necessary instructions to equip other responders before going into rescue operations.
“As for preparedness, it must be cultivated with unity and adaptation in the community during times of calamities, disasters, and other uncertainties,” he added.
On the other hand, Ray Jordan B. Montes, an Accredited Community Disaster Volunteer, explained that this kind of service is not a difficult job, but a fulfilling one.
Montes elaborated that he finds joy when he can serve, save, and help other people in times of disasters.
Significantly, his experiences as a volunteer contributes to his humbleness.
“Even though you have experienced such things and undergone training, you can’t say you already know everything. Always be humble and look for things you need to improve as you have come to know along your way,” he stressed.
Further, Dave G. Montes, GIS mapper and trainer-responder, expressed that before becoming a trainer-responder he once experienced being a volunteer at the Provincial Capitol before he went to MDRRMO.
He also mentioned that becoming a volunteer is significantly dependent on an individual’s willingness and determination to help in times of calamities and disaster-related situations without expecting something in return. These qualities kept them in their service of volunteerism.
Volunteerism is ageless: young volunteer’s experience
Magno D. Daodao, a grade 9 student at the University of Baguio, also shared that at such a young age of volunteering from 2022, he joined the MDRRMO because he wants to expand his knowledge, enhance his skills, and to share these learnings with other people.
Daodao also believes and supports the principle of the office: “We don’t teach, we share.” The idea of assisting and helping people in time of needs inspire him.
He also elaborated that although there is no corresponding salary for volunteers, he enjoys volunteering, learning, and discovering something new at the MDRRMO.
He volunteers during summer vacation and appreciates how the office openly share practical skills.
“Indeed, engaging and exciting, especially the water safety training where they let you join with the other trainees,” Daodao conveyed.
He also delivered his realization, “Teamwork and communication are the keys in MDRRMO because you cannot do it alone. You cannot work alone. You cannot rescue alone, and without proper communication with your fellow teammates or co-workers, you cannot operate properly.”
Indeed, others may view this as an exhausting job, but these tireless volunteers prove their love of serving the people as they offer selfless generosity.
These valuable experiences enabled them to provide exceptional service that may save the vulnerable, given their purpose, volunteerism, and camaraderie.
Firmly, they are just among the heroes of today and one of the unbreakable weapons and human resources the municipality can depend on. By Mark Sherwin R. Del Campo
