Quezon City links up with Rotary for disaster management

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1044446
• Saturday, August 11, 2018

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr. (PNA)

MANILA -- Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, supported by the Liga ng mga Barangay, on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Rotary International (RI) District 3780 to assist and respond in times of disasters and emergencies.

During the MOA signing, Bautista said the partnership will strengthen both parties’ drive in providing services to city residents.

“We are looking forward that this partnership, aside from making it institutional, is talagang mas ma-tighten pa nang husto (really tightened up even more),” Bautista said.

The Quezon City government has already entered into a partnership with the RI District 3780 with only a few selected barangays (villages) last year.

“Dati, kaunti lang ang barangays na partners ng Rotary. Ngayon ay sasakupin na ‘yung mga hindi nakasali. Bawat isang club ay baka may tatlong hahawakang barangay (Formerly, only a couple of villages were partners with Rotary. Those excluded will now be covered. Each club may handle three villages). We are improving on the achievements of the past so that mas maging maganda at mas malawak pa ‘yung pagkakataon na makapagsilbi tayo (the opportunity for us to serve will be even better and wider),” Bautista said.

Under the MOA, the RI 3780 will be the first civil society organization to be tapped by the Quezon City local government to strengthen its DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) capability.

It will help respond to calls for rescue operations, provide the communities and the city logistical support for its DRRM efforts; assist in relief goods provisions; and coordinate with the city and barangays in advocating disaster resilience.

“It is nice to see that the Rotary International 3780 is pursuing unity and trust that concern each and everyone of us, especially our brothers and sisters who will need emergency services in various parts of the city,” Bautista said.

Quezon City will also undertake humanitarian projects based on “Rotary’s Six Causes” such as fighting diseases, saving mothers and children, promoting peace, supporting education, providing clean water and sanitation, and helping local economies grow.

Meanwhile, RI District 3780 Gov. Pastor Mar Reyes lauded the city government for its continuing support to their organization.

“Mayor Herbert understands the needed support of the private sector. Rotary cannot do what they vowed to do, which is to serve the community, without the help of the barangays. That is the best partnership,” Reyes said.