8 bills approved to protect volunteers

CEBU, Philippines — The Committee on People's Participation in the House of Representatives chaired by Mandaue City Lone District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon has recently approved the consolidation of eight bills encouraging volunteers to respond to emergencies by protecting them from liability.

Likewise, the said committee has also approved a bill declaring every month of December as National Volunteers Month, as well as December 5 as National Volunteer’s Day.

Ouano-Dizon has steered the deliberation of the Emergency Volunteer Protection Bills, Good Samaritan Bills, and National Volunteers’ Month Bill.

Representatives Marlyn Primicias Agabas, Jose R. Ma. Zubiri, Jr., Ernesto M. Dionisio, Jr., and Florida Rida P. Robes authored House Bill Nos. 1007, 1439, 5191 and 5584, respectively, which bills have similar titles for purposes of encouraging and protecting volunteers from liability during emergency situations.

On the other hand, Representatives Bernadeth BH Herrera, Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre, Franz Pumaren and Julien Baronda authored House Bill Nos. 1391, 1949, 5145, 9560, respectively, the so-called “Good Samaritan Bills,” which would involve unorganized volunteers who provide reasonable assistance and do not receive compensation for rendering service.

Likewise, House Bill No. 4405 or An Act Declaring December of Every Year as National Volunteers Month in the entire country, which is authored by Rep. Jorge Bustos, was approved by the committee through the sponsorship of Cebu Second District Rep. Edsel Galeos.

In her opening statement, Ouano-Dizon cited December 5 as the International Volunteers Day, hence it is a significant date, she said, to approve the bill on the same committee hearing.

“This annual day of celebration mandated by the United Nations  is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, government authorities and the private sector," Ouano-Dizon said.

She added that it is an affirmation of the commitment of its members in recognizing the role and upholding the rights of the volunteers who willingly involve themselves in utilizing civic resources to assist needy causes and courageously place themselves at the forefront to respond in emergencies or crisis situations.

Ouano-Dizon expressed appreciation to the authors of the bills, which would be consolidated into one substitute bill to be prepared by the committee that shall take into account the harmonization of the versions and inputs of the resource persons.

She explained that she anchored her confidence to the support of agencies and civil society in fulfilling the purpose of the said measures, such as the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Red Cross, United Nations Philippine Office of Resident Coordinator, Federal Union of Philippine Volunteer Firefighters, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. — (FREEMAN)