Medical-rescue group, nurse cited outstanding volunteers in Cordillera

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

Maria Aprila Cruz

BAGUIO CITY – A medical and rescue volunteer group  and a young nurse are the Cordillera  regional winners in the 2014 Search for Outstanding Volunteer (SOV) under the auspices  of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA).

Baguio’s 911 On Call Incorporated bagged the regional award for the Search for Outstanding Volunteers –Non-Profit organization Category.

For its eight  years of existence, 911 On Call Inc. was  acknowledged for its priceless service to the community due to the effort of  its  members to commit public volunteerism. 

As a medical and rescue volunteer group with hotline number Local “911”, landline no. 443-56-78 and radio VHF together with its OPCEN (Operation Center) communication has successfully networked its operations with the government agencies such as the Fire  Department , Emergency Medical Services, Philippine National Police , Red Cross, City Disaster Coordinating Risk Reduction Management Council , which enables the group to be on call or first responders when tragedy strikes.

Rafael “Paeng” Valencia,   Dr. Manuel Quirino, a well- respected doctor  at the  Baguio General Hospital  and Medical Center and other  volunteers  pioneered  911 On Call in 2006  to respond to disasters and calamities.   It has since  devoted many years to helping individuals in distress.

The group has now hundreds of volunteers ready to respond anytime.  They are capable of providing rescue and medical assistance with the capabilities and competency of its members.  The 911 is a mainstay the city’s risk reduction management council.

Meanwhile, under the SOV Individual category, 26  year old Darren C. Carino, of Penarrubia, Abra is recognized for his  exceptional and consistent leadership and support of the goals and operations of the Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocates (AYNLA) for the past three  years. He is also recognized for his strong volunteerism and leadership roles in promoting the health of the people of Abra.

Carino initiated and organized the First Nurse Leaders Conference in the Province of Abra which includes the World AIDS Day Commitment  signing ceremony and the formal founding of the Philippine Nurses Association- Abra Chapter.

He also founded the Abra Youth Organizations Society (AYOS), composed of the different youth and student organizations that envision an empowered, dynamic and socially responsible Abrenian youth. This is in an important accomplishment not only in his part but in the part of province as it unites  the voice of the youth  for  change.

The SOV is the yearly centerpiece event in celebration of the National Volunteer Month every December. It aims to recognize the exemplary performance and dedication to services of Filipino volunteers across the nation in building strong communities and empowering lives.

It also serves as a platform for promoting and nurturing volunteerism as a time-enduring tradition and a significant component of the Filipino way of life.

The SOV is conducted by the PNVSCA and the BVN-SC in cooperation with the SOV National Selection Committee.

The Cordillera regional search committee  was chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority regional office with the  Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Science and Technology , Commission on Higher Education , Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,  and Julie Cabato, Regional Development Council  Private Sector Representative  as members.