CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Philippine Army (PA) in Calabarzon is pushing for the inclusion of National Service Training Program (NSTP) graduates for local disaster preparedness and response efforts.
Brig. Gen. Ronald Jess Alcudia, commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, told the Regional Development Council’s (RDC) sectoral committee meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, that it was high time to tap the youth for disaster response to strengthen the country’s climate action and disaster resilience.
He particularly highlighted the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC), which consists of graduates from the Community Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS) under the NSTP, implemented in tertiary education.
Citing Republic Act 9163, which established the NSTP, Alcudia recommended that the RDC create a mechanism or policy for involving the NSRC as disaster responders. He suggested that this policy could be endorsed to the upcoming 20th Congress as part of the proposed legislative agenda.
“The existing National Service Training Program includes a provision stating that non-military graduates—those who completed CWTS and LTS—are part of what we call the National Service Reserve Corps. This body should be assisting our local government units in times of disaster, particularly in incident command systems, response, and rehabilitation,” Alcudia explained.
He said that based on discussions with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Calabarzon has the largest youth population in the country. The proposed policy would enhance youth participation in disaster response, rehabilitation, and volunteerism, he added.
“This has been in the law since 2002, yet we have not fully implemented it. Every time a disaster occurs, we mostly rely on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and military reservists. What we want to see is for CWTS and LTS graduates—who were trained precisely for this purpose—to become our first responders,” Alcudia added.
Under RA 9163, members of the NSRC may be mobilized by the state for literacy and civic welfare activities through the joint efforts of the Department of National Defense (DND), CHED, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Calabarzon backed the proposal, emphasizing that NSRC members could be involved, provided they undergo accreditation as Community Disaster Volunteers (CDV) through the local DRRMOs.
According to OCD Calabarzon, they will study the proposal and lobby the integration of NSRC and CDV to their higher officials.
The CDV program engages volunteers in disaster risk reduction and management efforts, including information, education, and communication campaigns, DRRM-related capacity development initiatives, and support for relief operations.
Members of the RDC Sectoral Committee on Macroeconomy and Development also expressed their strong support for the Philippine Army’s proposal, emphasizing that engaging the youth in disaster response efforts is both timely and essential.
They highlighted the significant role young individuals can play in disaster preparedness, response, and relief operations, given their energy, adaptability, and willingness to serve. (FSC, PIA4A)
