The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) accorded barangay volunteers with high praises on Friday, July 25, for leading the frontline response teams as the country reeled from continuous heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon (habagat) and typhoons "Crising", "Dante", and "Emong".

Thousands of barangay tanods (village security personnel), health workers, youth volunteers and community responders were mobilized to rescue families, distribute relief aid, monitor flood levels, and assist in preemptive evacuations in the battered communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Further, the DILG acknowledged the volunteer groups’  unwavering commitment, saying their localized knowledge proved essential in reaching high-risk and hard-to-access areas, often ahead of formal response units.

In San Rafael, Bulacan, the DILG noted barangay nutrition scholars and other volunteers continued monitoring the health and condition of pre-school children, pregnant and breastfeeding women who belong to vulnerable groups even amid the onslaught of typhoon Crising.

In San Mateo, Rizal, the DILG recognized that volunteers from Angat San Mateo and Angat Montalban distributed hot meals to evacuees who are temporarily staying at the Maly Elementary School in Barangay Maly, as well as to the people residing at Riverside Asirle Street in Barangay Ampid II.

In Quezon City, the DILG noted that the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay Payatas and other barangay and youth volunteers prepared food packs for residents who were affected by Crising and habagat.

The DILG vowed to stand in solidarity with the volunteers as they continue to ensure frontline assistance in the communities is available.

"As the country braces for more extreme weather events due to climate change, the role of barangay volunteers will become even more crucial," the DILG said.

The DILG has also called for sustained investment in training, equipment and other forms of support for the frontline heroes.

DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla commended the volunteer groups for "moving in silence", while expecting nothing in return even in the face of danger.

"Barangay volunteers, you are the heart of our community. Your caring and voluntary service proves that the spirit of heroism is alive in every corner of the country," Remulla said.