2 CCDRRMO workers pass NLE 2023

CEBU, Philippines —  While working for one of the busiest departments in the Cebu City government, especially in times of disasters, two working students of the Cebu City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) proved that having both school and work can reap benefits.

In fact, Renzo Del Rosario and Emil Joshua Pugosa said their experience with CCDRRMO has helped them get where they are now--and that's as two of 25,761 passers of the recent Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination.

Del Rosario started as a Red Cross volunteer, while Pugosa was with a non-government organization before they joined the City Hall.

With the passion to serve and to help others grow, Del Rosario volunteered at the Cebu City Hall in 2015 until Mayor Mike Rama lost his re-election bid that led the young Del Rosario to do volunteer work with barangay Guadalupe’s response team.

In 2019, Del Rosario returned to the Cebu City government still as a volunteer after being invited by the City Disaster chief Harold Alcontin anew.

During the first wave of Covid-19, Del Rosario’s volunteer work went more serious that eventually he got absorbed at the City government and became the EMT, data management section head.

Pugosa, for his part, from being a volunteer at the CCDRRMO mainly during typhoon Odette, also later on became the research management section head of the office.

Del Rosario said what they have is a “rare opportunity not everyone can get.”

“Nagpasalamat ko ang trabaho ang niduol nako…Ang gipangandoy nako nga passion, became already a profession. While it was pandemic, nag eskwela sad ko. Wala na ko biya-e akong academic responsibility.

Timing lang na ni peak akong online classes, third year na gyud me,”Del Rosario said.

“Ang nindot man gud ato sa school that time kay asynchronous siya. Meaning to say, I can take classes at  my own pace and time ba. After work, after five, magtuon ko. Magtan-aw ko sa mga module. Bisan pag ingnan mig graduate online, but the experience in the time of the pandemic fits to my profession, working in a healthcare setting,” Del Rosario added.

Both Del Rosario and Pugosa graduated last July 27, 2023, took a leave to prepare for the NLE and returned to work after the exams.

Interestingly, Del Rosario recalled that when he returned to work, there was a threat of a typhoon and when they received the news of the results of the NLE, there were also updates on an earthquake that was felt in Cebu City. He said it took them some time to process their feelings on passing the board as they also had work in mind being with the City disaster team.

“It’s not easy but nisalig lang ko sa akong kaugalingon, sa foundation sa akong eskwelahan,Velez College, and review center St. Louis, and of course to the City government. Dako gyud kaayog tabang ang experience gyud and of course pagsalig sa Ginoo,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario and Pugosa said even after getting their nursing license, they still intend to work with the CCDRRMO while contemplating on their next move, like taking up medicine or a master’s degree.(CEBU NEWS)