The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) over the weekend has launched a nationwide initiative to train young Filipinos as certified volunteers in disaster prevention, preparedness, and emergency response.
OCD officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sectoral Anti-Poverty (SAP) Leadership and Management Consultancy Services for the creation of the Sagip-Buhay ng Mamamayan (SBM) Youth Brigade.
The signing ceremony was held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
“This memorandum of understanding marks the beginning of a shared mission to empower the youth in fortifying community resilience,” Alejandro said.
Under the program, the OCD will lead training efforts with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Sangguniang Kabataan, and local disaster risk reduction offices.
The SBM Youth Brigade will teach skills such as hazard assessment, first aid, and community leadership. Certified members will eventually be integrated into local disaster risk reduction councils and formally accredited as community disaster volunteers.
Officials said the rollout will be done in phases, starting with a pilot program in Metro Manila before expanding across the country.
