BEHIND THE
SCENES
Alfred P.
Dizon
(As Baguio celebrates
its 109th Charter anniversary, it is but fitting to pay tribute to countless
volunteers and groups who have helped in rescue and humanitarian endeavours during
calamities and hard times in the city.
The article below is by the Philippine News Agency)
BAGUIO CITY -- Some
46 years ago in 1972, Baguio suffered from 30 days of continuous rain,
saturating the soil, loosening it, leading to the massive landslide affecting a
large portion of Rimando Road and Bugallon Street in Aurora Hill in this city,
killing scores of people and destroying several houses.
The rains from July 1 to
August 1 that caused what was considered the “great landslide” at that time led
to the birth of the oldest emergency response volunteer organization in Baguio,
the Baguio-Benguet Public Information and Civic Action Group.
The concept of creating
the organization initially with most of the members being soldiers, policemen,
private persons was to have an organized group of persons who will readily
respond during emergencies, said founding President Oscar Cadeliña in an
exclusive interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
For decades, they
existed and survived with just volunteers willing to give their time, treasure,
talent and commitment to be of service to the others.
For almost three weeks
now, Baguio city is experiencing continuous heavy downpour.
Baguio recorded a 215mm
rainfall in a 24-hour period from 8:00 a.m. of August 24 to 8:00 a.m. on August
25.
Cadeliña, a retired
forester and government professor said volunteers of the organization simply
have the desire to help, which allows the organization to continue pursuing its
vision to contribute in mitigating sufferings and saving lives during
calamities and disasters, whether man-made or natural, without expecting any
form of remuneration.
Their members are men
and women from 21 years old to the oldest being him at 82.
“I cannot anymore join
rescue operations but what we seniors do is give moral support to the young
operatives. We also contribute by giving from our pockets especially during
operations to feed our volunteers,” adding that the P60 monthly membership dues
and donation from some companies and the little assistance of the OCD and the
government helps them survive and continue with their humanitarian activities.
Some of their members
are also entrepreneurs allowing them to give their time and money during “alert
situations”.
During off-calamity
season, the group engages in preparedness activities on their own or in
collaboration with other Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) groups, or
the government agencies in advancing “preparedness” measures in schools,
barangays, with companies and business establishments and for their members’
capacity building.
“We feel good, light
seeing the moral support of each other. There is also such a thing as good
karma which I am personally believe in.”
In Baguio, he said
“nakakahawa ang commitment at volunteerism spirit ng mga taga Baguio. Patuloy
na dumadami ang miyembro ng tribo at nagbibigay ng serbisyo para sa kapwa (the
commitment and volunteerism spirit of Baguio people is contagious, the tribe of
people who gives [humanitarian] service is increasing ,” he said.
Nel Marilla, a retired
banker said that with his two children being adult and having their own jobs,
he devotes his time to BB-PICAG and the Lions Club. “Maliit lang naman
kailangan namin ng misis ko para mabuhay at sakto lang ang retirement namin
para sa amin kaya hindi problema na naglalagi ako sa PICAG.” he joined the
group in 2005, after his retirement and remains active, joining operations and
training for communities up to the present.
Baguio City
administrator Carlos Canilao, a lawyer whose department handles the DRRM office
of Baguio, said “there is a very good indication that our people want to help
government. Government cannot do everything kaya dito sa disaster management
natin (in our disaster management), we are very happy, there are many volunteer
communications group, disaster response groups, ang dami nila (there’s plenty
of them).”
There are emergency
response groups from the business establishments, schools, Philippine Military
Academy, Philippine Air Force, Army reservist, private groups and NGOs who aid
the city during calamities and disasters. “We just welcome everybody,” who are
willing to help, Canilao said.
“I cannot over emphasize
their importance. We have limited personnel, only 13 in the local DRRM office
that operates 24 hours and the groups augment whenever they are needed. At
times they are even the first to respond to emergencies,” the official said.
He said he also welcomes
the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte during his last State of the
Nation Address of his desire to have a DRRM department in government.
Canilao shared the
experience in July 16, 1990 which has opened the gates for the “volunteerism”
spirit to really come alive among the residents.
“The day when there will
be no volunteers is an impossible situation. The city of Baguio has already
adjusted to this kind of system since 1990, where residents come on their own
to do service.”
Recalling the 1990
killer earthquake, he said nobody was prepared but Baguio residents learned good lesson from it. “To be always be
reminded that we need to be conscious that disaster may come anytime, and with
that consciousness, the preparation comes in. It’s not enough that we know, we
should prepare by training and getting equipment.” The earthquake brought in
many volunteers who are readily available anytime.
He said in 1990, while a
professor at PMA and with the cadets “at that time, we were at a loss, even the
military, even the police. Do you know who were ready at that time? The miners.
They were the only ones who can save. They were the heroes at that time,” thus
the importance of preparedness gearing towards resiliency.
With the five percent
from the P2 billion fiscal budget as mandatory disaster fund, Canilao said they
use the 30 percent as a ready emergency money and the 70 percent for
preparedness. This allows them to conduct continues capacity building training
and procure equipment.
The Barangay DRRM
committees are also capacitated to respond to any form of emergency.
The city is thankful it
has hundreds of volunteers whom they constantly recognized for selfless effort,
Canilao said. “There is no age, gender requirement to be a volunteer, only the
willingness , selflessness to serve,” he added.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan
also lauded the volunteers. “To me, they are heroes of their own right. Ang
dami nila (they are numerous) not only during typhoon but also during special
occasions and events in the city.”
Read more...
