By Jarred Santos

LOS BANOS, LAGUNA – The Calabarzon Unified Responders is looking for more volunteers who will “heed the call in any disaster”.

In partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region IV-A, the organization is geared toward preparing its volunteers to be “self-contained”, especially during times of disaster. In the occurrence of a disaster, those most close to the site will be called to help. “Kahit cook ka pa, pero kung kailangan naming ng driver at marunong kang mag-drive, makakatulong ka”, says Arwin Carandang, de facto coordinator of the volunteer group. Through this system, earlier response to disasters is allowed, as compared to waiting for rescue teams to respond. According to Carandang, volunteers are expected to respond immediately once a disaster occurs within a volunteers’ immediate vicinity.

Carandang, himself a volunteer at the Philippine Red Cross-San Pablo City Chapter, says that volunteers cause “undue stress” to people affected by a calamity when they come unprepared on site of a disaster. “Inaalala pa yung mga kinakailangan nila. Kaya kailangan nilang maging self-contained,”he adds.

As of May 26, 2015, more than 50 have signed up and sent emails to confirm their volunteering for the said group.

“Huwag sanang mangyari, pero pag nagka-disaster, mabuti nang prepared,” says Carandang.

The Calabarzon Unified Responders can be reached at [email protected]