More village volunteers trained as disaster ‘warriors’

EIGHTY volunteers from 11 barangays in Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental were recently trained to be disaster “warriors” in their respective community.

Participants were taught on the basic knowledge and skills on how to be alert and responsive to any disaster that may strike their community at any given time.

The training, conducted by experts from the Philippine National Red Cross-Misamis Oriental (PNRC-MisOr), held on March 7 to 9 and March 14 to 16, was thru the auspices of FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis).

Last year, the Gotianun-led power firm likewise sponsored the same training, where 80 villagers-turned-volunteers also attended, including the town’s police officers.

Villanueva, known as the “Industrial Hub” in Northern Mindanao, is reportedly prone to both natural and man-made disaster(s) like earthquake, typhoon, flood, tsunami, landslide, fire, among others.

“Thus, it is our prime objective in sponsoring this training to equip the people of Villanueva the knowledge and skills needed to become disaster warriors,” said engineer Luis Lagarnia Jr., FDC Misamis’ plant manager.

“Implementing this program will also make the residents in our host community aware of our commitment to harmonize our operations with environmentally sound practices and programs for the community,” Lagarnia said.

The training, Villanueva Mayor Jennie Rosalie Uy said, benefited every barangay in strengthening their respective Barangay Disaster Action Team (BDAT).

Under Republic Act 10121 and with the onslaught of climate change all over the world, all local government units, including the barangays, are mandated to have their respective disaster risk reduction and management team.