The second batch of training, dubbed as the Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE), for the remaining 40 fishermen and employees from the Tacloban City Social Welfare and Development Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Eight, recently reeled off at the Leyte Oriental Resort in Baras, Palo, Leyte.

The five-day activity is part of the Team Balikatan Rescue in Emergency (TeamBRE) being piloted in Tacloban City. The objective of the project is to develop a pool of volunteers among fisherfolk to support community resiliency and provide alternative source of livelihood during disaster months.

Said Director Patricia Luna of the Social Technology Bureau of the DSWD Central Office, the TeamBRE encourages volunteerism, and that the nice thing with the City Government of Tacloban is that the latter extends support to sustain the project.

Lolita Dadp, DSWD Region Eight focal person for TeamBRE, bared that due to frequent disaster volunteer activities that were conducted, the level of commitment of the volunteers was heightened, and teamwork was strongly developed.

There are some 50 fishermen who were selected to be part of the TeamBRE, and they come from the coastal areas of Barangays 88, 89, and 90, of San Jose District in Tacloban City, City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Liliosa Baltazar disclosed.

The first batch of 28 volunteers had their training at Caluwayan Beach Resort in Marabut, Samar on May of this year. Project partners, who administered the training were the Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Delta Volunteer Emergency Group of Tacloban City.

Orlando Pica, Sr., TeamBRE Group Leader of Barangay 88 and a TeamBRE volunteer, now places himself as trainer, having undergone the same training in the first batch. The man reveals how happy he is to be part of the undertaking, and how it has deepened his dedication to be of service to his community.

The group of fishermen have been receiving cash subsidies for their volunteer work which are either conducted during pre-disaster, during, or post activities. They each receive Php193.50 per day for a period of ten days, the same amount given while they are on training.

Part of the capacity – building activities were centered on Dead Body Management, Fire Emergencies, Basic Search and Rescue, and Water Emergencies.