MARIVELES, Bataan – The Office of Civil Defense in Region 3 in coordination with the municipal government of Mariveles on Tuesday (May 22) held water search and rescue simulation exercises in the beach of the Bataan town.
OCD Regional Director Josefina Timoteo said more than 250 rescue workers from Bataan, Balanga City, cities of Cabanatuan and Palayan in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlacand Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority participated.
The Philippine Coast Guard, the police and the Bureau of Fire Protection were on hand to assist in the exercise.
“The objectives of this activity are to enhance camaraderie among rescue units in Region 3 and to improve their skills in water safety,” Timoteo said.
Mariveles Mayor Jesse Concepcion said the exercises will enable rescuers to further hone their skills. “Maganda na may kahandaan dahil biglang dumarating ang sakuna,” he said.
“This will boost camaraderie among Region 3 rescuers upang makahingi ng tulong ang karatig-bayan na parang technology transfer,” the mayor added.
As to the town’s rescuers, Concepcion said they are ready being trained by rescuers from Olongapo City who are already included in the Hall of Fame.
Tess Senora, chief of the Bataan OCD, said rescuers from Bataan are prepared for any eventuality. “Pero, siyempre kailangan talaga ang pagsasanay para lalo nilang mapagbuti ang kanilang kaalaman,” she said.
Police Officer 2 Leonel Gatchalian said the activity they performed was about the case when a boat used in rescue operations capsized.
“Itinuturo nito kung paano ang dapat gawin kung sakaling bumaligtad ang Bangka dahil sa lakas ng alon, lakas ng agos ng tubig o dahil sa magalaw ang sakay na ni-rescue,” the police officer said.
Gatchalian said the Balanga City police in coordination with city rescue team are ready in cases of floods during the incoming ready season.
