“Dili mabayran ang kalipay sa tawo na matabangan namo sila.”

—Christopher Laraga (First Aid Team Leader)

In 1938, somewhere in the first district of Davao City, a land with an area of 968 hectares was cultivated to become a primary agricultural producing Barangay in the First district. It was primarily focus on vegetable production with three dominant indigenous tribes inhabiting the land namely: Mandaya, Bagobo and Moro Lumads and Chrisitians, dominating the group.

For the past 77 years, Ma-a, has a total population of 45,000-50,000 with 54 Puroks each headed by respective Purok Leaders. Through the active participation of all sectors in the community Ma-a proved that they could live harmoniously, co-existing with their Islamic brothers.

Barangay Ma-a has a very large scope, including three (3) National highways, the Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road), Don Julian Rodriguez Avenue (Ma-a Road) and the Mc Arthur Highway going south bound of the City that are susceptible to all kinds of vehicular accidents. It is also bounded by a ridge – Shrine Hills Ridge where most likely the 8 puroks that are literally at the base of what has been declared a geo hazard area prone to landslide by the EMB-DENR R-XI. 10 Puroks, also, in the area is situated near the Davao River that has around 10,000 households that are potential flood victims. And 16 Informal communities whose dwellings were closely built to each other in which light materials were used, like the coconut lumber and “kalakat” (woven bamboo strips) that in any given time, when there is fire, it could easily be burnt out in just five 5 minutes. There are also 2 high-end villages and 22 middle class subdivisions that are also prone to vehicular accidents and emergencies- medical or traumatic in nature.

With these possible disasters in the area the barangay is genuinely in need to strengthen the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan in which a committee will supervise all the activities. As what, RA 7160 or the Local Government Code mandated, the compliance of the Code does not solely be based on what was mandated, the demands to protect the welfare of the constituents and mitigate the severe effects of disasters in the community in its unprecedented moments must be answered.

Nature of CARES

Where there is a need to strengthen the structure of the government, ensuring the lives of the constituents and preserve the comfort and convenience in the prevention of disasters in the scope of Ma-a, Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council (BDCC) was organized under Executive Order no. 06 proposed by the late Punong Barangay Loreto Laud, Jr. on Oct. 6, 2003. Extending to all 16 informal communities and 10 puroks that are considered to be flood and fire prone areas.

During the effectivity of EO no. 6 the BDCC shall be responsible on all activities (rescue, monitor, service, etc.) that include disasters in the area. Later on, BDCC has changed to CARES (Community Assistance and Rescue for Emergency Services) that respond to any disasters and calamities, hiring and training members of the community to actively participate. It was now persisted by the incumbent Hon. Olivia D. Cal.

The barangay have allotted them 8 million every year for their expenses. However, as we asked them, it was still marginal because they are the ones who will shoulder their food, if ever they have OT’s because the barangay cannot give them more. But they assure that those persons who voluntarily involve themselves will have their fair share.

Roster of members includes four team leaders (Alpha, Beta, Charlie and Delta) and five members each group that are proficient on skills in Basic Life Saving, Fire fighter’s Brigade, Water Safety Technicians, Open Water Responder and First Aid Specialists.

The new recruits must first be enlisted on the three (3) weeks recruitment and undergo three (3) months of free and rigorous training and a five (5) days proper training to be qualified. Every year, they will have it twice during February – May and July – December. After this training, they must have the skills not just on what they are good at but also they must be versatile or shall we say possessed multi skills. If you’re good at swimming, you must also learn to do first aid and hold a hose to put out the fire.

The great thing about them is that they are being recognized in the city as well, if 911 cannot respond immediately, they could be the one to take actions, even if it is outside their area of responsibility. They even conduct seminars and trainings to other barangays expanding to Bansalan and Sultan Kudarat.

The Great Flood

In June 2002, Ma-a has suffered from incredibly high and dry situation when the big flood had hastened the whole community. The river overflowed luckily, no reported incident of dead bodies found in the area. What were left though, was awed citizens who cannot believe about the disaster because who would’ve thought that Davao City would suffer like that. The city don’t really experienced tropical storms more often. It was an eye-opener to all.

CARES then, are very grateful to be part in helping those people who cannot reach to safe places because they were trapped in their roofs. As what the team leader said, even though they have suffered from hunger during the whole day and night, they did not complain because hearing the word “Salamat” from the victims makes it a pain reliever for all their sufferings.

In the Malacañang

From the local scene, Brgy. Ma-a CARES have gone national, proving to all that they are not just your ordinary BDCC but they are beyond the simple assistance and rescue group. Why? They have been recognized as Hall of Famer in Regional level in the KALASAG awards for the best BDCC in Mindanao. They have also won the 2008-2009 KALASAG National Awards awarded in the Malacañan Palace.
The criteria for judging evaluated the over-all performance of the BDCC including the compilations of activities they have conducted or participated in a whole year. Also, a representative from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) will personally go to a certain barangay and inspect the area. These include the facilities, performance and the development of the area the BDCC have been involved.

The Brotherhood

For the past years, CARES members have developed more than a simple co-workers attitude towards each other. They have turned it as their family whom they can laugh and talk about almost all things.
One of them has even shared a enthusing story. Mr. Ramel Tabor one of the team leaders was once a gang leader of a group “Pulag Mata”, he does all the vices he could think of and be one of those who lead riots in the streets. But after he was caught one night, the barangay then offered him a deal that will eventually change his life. He was recruited and 11 others to become a trainee for the BDCC. At first, it was very crucial for it was hard to settle for a thing that they have not been used to. Fortunately, six of them survived the trainings and now became the mentors of those next in line. Others have also been regenerated and straighten their own lives, as well.
CARES being the standard on Barangay rescue scene we then, ask them on how prepared they are and their realizations during the course of their service and here are their replies:


Q: In a scale of 1-10 how prepared are you

Because there is always room for improvement. We are still lack of equipment’s though. But our response to public safety would be 90% because we know that we are really capable in what we do.


Q: In one word what is that most important thing you have gain throughout your whole experience in CARES?


Diomedes Agonsa (Organic Member) —- “Check and Verify”
Ramel Tabor (Team Leader) —– “Change”
Dinbert Maglasang (Team Leader) —- “Skills”
Christopher Laraga (Team Leader) —–“Maturity”
Nards Michael Tancontian (Auxiallary) —– “Respect”
Ever Rosauro (Team Leader) —- “Time Consciousness”

With Davao being in the threshold of disasters that are not like we experienced in the past, preparedness goes a long way in saving lives and preventing greater casualties in an area. In the meantime, all material things will be gone— even life. However, all earthly things will pass because everything is temporary to make every opportunity meaningful and worthy that is why serving, as what one team leader said “Dungog nimo, Dungog pud nila.”

With Brgy. Ma-a getting ahead of others it’s a vision turn to reality. The commitment and collaborative effort from the barangay, community and these volunteers Brgy. Ma-a as well as those people who took the pole position to improve their service and promise to their constituents. It’s a high spirit to express our gratitude for them for the selfless acts they infatuated that touches different lives and stories. Like them, we as stewards, bound by our own sense of responsibility to help and cooperate, we realized that beyond what the world is ready to accept. There is still a need to make the stewardship more effective and more efficient in preserving lives and proving that we CARE is one of it.