The city government here resumed the retraining of disaster risk reduction management councils (DRRMC) in the 128 villages to further enhance their capabilities ahead of the wet season.

Baguio DRRM officer Charles Carame said in a media interview on Tuesday that the initial training sessions on March 5, 6 and 10 involved the reorientation of DRRM coordinators on communication, resilience scorecard, community risk assessment, and quality assessment tools.

The participants were also briefed about the Philippine DRRM system, barangay DRRM process, DRRM thematic areas, as well as concepts on training and persuading volunteers.

The training will continue until May and will include volunteers and representatives from the education, religious, health, livelihood, and environment sectors, civil society organizations and people’s organizations.

“Being the first line of responders, the barangays should be on top of the situation especially in times when help cannot reach them at once so we should ensure that they have the capability,” Carame said.

The city government also accredited volunteers and their organizations as provided for in Republic Act 9418 or the Volunteer Act.

Twenty-three volunteers from the 1401st Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army bring to 99 the total members of the Baguio DRRM Office. (PNA)