With city's disaster brigade already full, Mandaue creates Sitio Brigade

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government will allocate a portion of its calamity fund for the training of civilians (and there are plenty of them) who wish to join the city’s disaster brigade.

Association of Brangay Captain (ABC) president Ernie Manatad said after the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) conducted a seminar workshop on disaster preparedness last week for barangay leaders and members of the barangay disaster brigade, many civilian volunteers have expressed eagerness to join the barangay disaster brigade.

But with their number, Manatad said some of them will make up the Sitio Disaster Brigade.

He said each of the 27 barangays will choose at least 100 civilian volunteers who will undergo training wherein the city government will pay for their training and seminar at P1,600 each.   

Each barangay can only accommodate 100 residents, although many still want to join the brigade.

He said the volunteers will be taught firefighting, first-aid, crowd control, communication, and transport and logistics.

Training kits and uniforms will be given free during the seminar which will start Friday at Camp Marina in Lahug, Cebu City.

Manatad clarified the volunteers will be trained but will not be paid once they start to serve their barangays.

He said establishment of Sitio Brigade will help assist the community during calamities. - THE FREEMAN