Quezon City – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sectoral Anti-Poverty (SAP) Leadership and Management Consultancy Services today at the OCD Headquarters in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, to formally launch the “Sagip-Buhay ng Mamamayan (SBM) Youth Brigade” initiative.
OCD Officer-in-Charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV and SAP Chairperson and CEO Ms. Chanda A. Gonzales signed the agreement, with Assistant Secretary Cesar M. Idio and SAP President Dr. Revor J. Lasay serving as witnesses. The signing marked a significant step in empowering Filipino youth to take an active role in advancing community resilience and disaster preparedness.
“I am honored to announce our partnership with the Sectoral Anti-Poverty or SAP Leadership and Management Consultancy Services, an alliance that aims to enhance the role of young people or youth in disaster risk reduction. This MOU or our Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a shared mission to empower the youth in fortifying community resilience through the establishment of the Sagip Buhay ng Mamamayan Youth Brigade or SBM Youth Brigade,” Asec Alejandro said.
Through this partnership, OCD will lead in foundational training of certified SBM Youth members in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). OCD will also work closely with Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) to provide training and integrate certified youth into local DRRM activities such as prevention, preparedness, and early response.
SAP, in partnership with Deontological Ascent of Humanity on Nature (DAHON), Inc. and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), will deliver specialized training programs, manage a nationwide database of SBM Youth members, and secure insurance coverage for them. These training sessions will equip participants with knowledge in hazard assessment, first aid, leadership, and other critical DRRM skills.
OCD designed the program to roll out in phases, starting with policy development and pilot implementation in a chosen region, preferably the National Capital Region. The succeeding phases will expand the program nationwide and move toward the formal accreditation of SBM Youth as recognized community disaster volunteers. This structured approach ensures sustained engagement and strengthens the role of the youth in disaster resilience efforts.
By driving this initiative, OCD reaffirms its commitment to the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. to prioritize the safety and preparedness of communities. The agency’s actions also have the full support of Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., who champions unified efforts in building a disaster-resilient Philippines.
The SBM Youth Brigade program positions young Filipinos as vital partners in protecting lives and communities, ensuring that disaster preparedness becomes a shared responsibility across generations.
