71. Pursuant to the Act, the NDRRMC formulated MC No. 64, s. 2021 to provide the
guidelines on the accreditation, mobilization and protection of community disaster
volunteers. The MC defines ACDVs as individuals or organized volunteers who possess
the requisite qualifications stipulated in these guidelines and whose names were
submitted and officially included in the LDRRMC List of Community Disaster
Volunteers and/or the National Roster of ACDVs maintained by the Office of the Civil
Defense (OCD).
72. The specific guidelines on the protection of Volunteers state that the Volunteer
Mobilizing Organization (VMO), that is the LGU, is responsible for providing their
ACDVs with personal accident insurance with a minimum coverage of ₱100,000.00; at a
minimum. This insurance must include coverage for accidental death or dismemberment,
permanent disability and hospitalization cost reimbursement. Volunteers must be
included in the LDRRMO’s official list of ACDVs to be entitled to insurance and
compensatory benefits.
73. In the review of the utilization of the LDRRMF, we came across Disbursement Voucher
(DV) No. 100-2024-02-0839 dated February 27, 2024, paid to the Cooperative Insurance
System of the Philippines Life and General Insurance. The payment was for insurance
premiums for 315 volunteers totalling ₱299,250.00 or at ₱950.00 each, for the period
March 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025. The supporting documents attached to the voucher
included the official receipt, a list of volunteers prepared by the LDRRM officer and
approved by the City Mayor, and a MOA between the volunteers and the LGU of Canlaon
City. The MOA states that the LGU will provide technical support, training, and insurance
coverage to the volunteers, while the volunteers are expected to assist in disaster response
efforts, follow LGU protocols, and coordinate through the proper channels during
emergencies.
74. Further verification revealed that the list of volunteers was not submitted to the OCD for
inclusion in the database of community disaster volunteers as required under Section 1,
Rule 9 of RA 10121. In a written explanation by the LDRRMO, it was stated that they
were not aware of the said requirement which is the reason for the non-submission.
75. In accordance with the guidelines set forth by the NDRRMC, only accredited volunteers
who are properly listed by the LDRRMO and whose names have been duly submitted to
the OCD are eligible for personal accident insurance and other related benefits. This
process ensures that all beneficiaries are officially recognized and accounted for in the
National Roster of ACDVs. However, the payment of insurance premiums for individuals
who have not been officially accredited and included in this roster constitutes a deviation
from the established procedures. Such action undermines the integrity of the accreditation
process and may result in the unauthorized or improper use of public funds.
18
