RDC, PNVCA form Cordillera volunteers group

By Marissa M. Cabatu

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordillera Regional Development Council and Philippine National Volunteer Coordinating Agency are set to form Regional Network of Volunteers in the Cordillera Region (RNV-CAR) to address disasters among other issues.
    Both agencies agreed to this on May 28 with private sector representatives (PSRs) wherein
    PNVSCA executive director Donald James D. Gawe commended PSRs, saying only CAR responded to their call since this was presented in 2020 during the PSR’s first virtual national convention hosted by RDC-PSR Eastern Visayas.
    In his briefing, Gawe said volunteerism is recognized as a development strategy as provided in the Philippine Volunteer Act of 2007.
    He added volunteerism is needed with the current situation but should not only be associated with disaster response but should be taken as a development strategy.
    At the local level, he said around 400 local governments of cities and municipalities have designated their volunteer focal persons, mostly from the local planning offices.
    A regional network of volunteers shall improve coordination of organizations and ensure coordinated action especially during disasters and pandemics. 
    Linking the RNV with the RDC shall ensure that volunteer initiatives are aligned with development thrusts of the region, and thus maximize the benefits of volunteerism.
    The establishment of RNV-CAR is the banner program of the PSRs for 2021 and is supported by the RDC with a mobilization fund. 
NEDA-CAR, as the RDC secretariat, will provide technical assistance to PSRs in establishing the RNV.