Drug surrenderers in disaster responders to join contest

DRUG surrenderers who are graduates of a recently concluded community emergency response training by the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office are set to compete in a Philippine National Police-organized competition on November 7 in Camp Quintin Merecido, Davao City.

The 30 drug surrenderees, trained under a reformation plan by the PNP's 11th Regional Public Safety Battalion called Disaster Action Team (DAT), are poised to be reintegrated back in their communities as disaster responders.

They are to compete in a series of events to test competency on bandaging, splinting, CPR, moving and lifting, situation analysis, and firefighting.

The drug surrenderers, aged 17 to 35, are from Tigatto, Ma-a, Matina Pangi, Matina Crossing, Matina Aplaya and Bucana.

Lyndon Leovic Ancajas, DRRMO training officer, said that the DAT Olympics and the CERT training is a step forward for the rehabilitating drug users and pushers return to their community as productive citizens.

Ancajas trained drug surrenderees on the country's disaster situation and the city's hazards, risks and vulnerabilities.

Ancajas also discussed community based early warning systems last September 19.

“Through these regular trainings by the DRRMO, we hope to promote resilience in communities and to equip people with necessary skills to adapt and recover during disasters,” Ancajas said.

Ancajas stressed the importance of community-based responders as life savers in barangay levels.

"Disaster preparedness is not enough," Ancajas added.

Regular trainings on resilience allow people to adapt, survive, and recover.

This DRRMO training with the PNP is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's interventions for drug surrenderees.

DRRMO chief Emmanuel Jaldon said that efforts of his department will also be directed to support programs of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac).

“Disaster response trainings will be incorporated in the aftercare program of drug surrenderers,” Jaldon said.

Cadac has so far recorded 9,322 drug surrenderees as of October 5. (PR)

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