Robredo's Angat Buhay inks deal to establish disaster response center

The Angat Buhay Foundation chaired by former Vice President Leni Robredo inked a pact with another non-profit, CSS Gives Philippines (CSSGivesPH), for the construction of a disaster preparedness and response center.

In a statement, Angat Buhay said the pact will establish Angat Buhay Center for Disaster Preparedness and Response or ABCDPR.

Once operational, the disaster preparedness and response center will have the following functions:

• providing training and capacity-building of communities in disaster risk reduction, management, and response,
• serving as an assessment and preparatory headquarters for coordinated response with affiliate organizations and government agencies, and
• mobilizing volunteers and rescue operations in times of disaster.

Robredo was present during the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the two parties held at the Museo ng Pag-Asa in Quezon City alongside Angat Buhay Executive Director Raffy Magno and CSSGivesPH Executive Director Winston Toledo.

“It is a center for bayanihan in times of need,” Magno said in a statement.

“This disaster preparedness and response center means faster and more equipped volunteers and rescue operations to better serve our kababayan,” he added.

Angat Buhay said the disaster preparedness and response center is expected to be operational within the year.

Through CSSGivesPH, the center will also initially have a command van, ambulance, rescue vehicle, and personnel for daily operations.

Angat Buhay previously deployed volunteers and relief operations during recent disasters in 16 areas nationwide when the country was hit by severe Tropical Storm Paeng last year. — DVM, GMA Integrated News