The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) through its recently established Metro Manila Disaster Preparedness and Climate Change Resilience Network, held the launching ceremony and inception workshop for the DILG-NCR’s Barangay Resilience Advocates Volunteer Group – Advanced Knowledge and Operations (BRAVE AKO) Training Program last September 9, 2024, at B Hotel, Quezon City.
Over a hundred barangay officials, functionaries, and sectoral representatives from 41 barangays in the Cities of Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasig, Taguig, and Quezon City attended the event. Local Government Capability Development Division Acting Division Chief Luigi D.C. Pilarta opened the program with his Welcoming Remarks, emphasizing the need for a whole-of-society approach to disaster risk reduction and management.
“Our goal is to uphold a multi-sectoral collaboration approach to disaster risk reduction and management. Enhancing the capacity of our barangays is also one of our key priorities to advance the resilience of our communities,” Acting Chief Pilarta stated.
DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, in her keynote address, commended the barangay officials for their continuous efforts and commitment to helping reduce the vulnerabilities of local communities.
“Hawak kamay po nating tatahakin ang landas patungo sa isang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan lahat tayo ay handa, matatag, at likas-kayang umiigpaw sa kabila ng mga sakuna at delubyo. Ang sama-sama po nating pagkilos ay isang patunay na walang bagyo o lindol ang kayang sumira sa diwa ng ating pagka-Pilipino,” RD Agustin stated.
Meanwhile, DILG – Central Office Disaster Information Coordinating Center (CODIX) Program Manager Robin E. Lim conducted an orientation on the DILG Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Resilience Program, providing a brief overview of the core DRRM programs of the DILG as reflected in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan 2020-2030, National Disaster Preparedness Plan 2015-2028, and the Department’s Operation L!STO Program.
Office of Civil Defense – NCR Policy Development and Planning Section Chief Marlon Henson B. Obligado discussed the guidelines for accrediting, mobilizing, and protecting Community Disaster Volunteers (CDVs). He underscored the importance of establishing important measures to ensure the safety and well-being of volunteers. These measures include the provision of insurance and compensatory benefits, among others.
Aside from the lectures, the participants also took part in a series of workshops, including the organizational stocktaking workshop. This workshop provided the members of Barangay DRRM Committees an opportunity to reflect on potential improvements in implementing their local programs related to disaster prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery and rehabilitation. Subsequently, a stakeholder mapping workshop was held to identify key community stakeholders who could be part of their community disaster volunteer groups.
These workshops were conducted in preparation for the rollout of the BRAVE AKO Training Program, which aims to enhance the capacity of local government stakeholders to effectively prepare for, respond to, and mitigate compound and cascading disaster risks, while also encouraging local duty-bearers to mobilize and empower community disaster volunteers.
The rollout of the BRAVE AKO Training Modules will run from September to November 2024. It involves 380 selected BDRRM Committee members, representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector from the 41 barangays, as well as 24 representatives of Local Colleges and Universities and City DRRM Offices from the five local government units targeted for the rollout.
DILG-NCR hopes that the BRAVE AKO Training Program will not only capacitate the barangay officials and sectoral representatives in preparing their respective communities for “The Big One,” but also build a risk-informed and resilience-oriented local governance.