‘Show your potentials, capabilities to save lives’
BACOLOD CITY — “Be heroes of our time,” Police Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, Regional Director, Police Regional Office 6 and Chairman of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council, urged the many rescue volunteers who participated in the Regional Rescue Olympics and Camp Evacuation Management Competition held at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City recently.
Such activity was attended by no less than Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council chairman Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., Presidential Deputy spokesman Dr. Anthony Golez, Jr., Civil Defense Deputy Administrator, Governor Isidro P. Zayco, Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, Antique Gov. Sally Perez, chair of the Regional Development Council, Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul N. Banias and many others.
Cuevas said that,”We have to orient our people with necessary pro-active measures to deter casualties and injuries. We live in this part of the globe which is prone to disasters, be it natural or otherwise. Thus, there is a great need for our rescuers and volunteers to get acquainted with techniques and knowledge on how to respond effectively on any of the situation. But not only must the rescuers be equipped with tools to save lives but also each one of us. This is the very reason we continue the education and awareness campaigns and conducts disaster management trainings in our offices and offices.”
He added that the competition will also serve as a venue for all the participants to showcase their potentials and capabilities to save lives, make heroes of our time. “Heroes are not made and not born. May this endeavor inspire all of us to become heroes of our own time by volunteering ourselves during the search, rescue and relief operations in the event disasters strike,” Cuevas added.
Mayor Leonardia received the award for Bacolod City with its Bacolod Disaster Coordinating Council landing 1st place in the highly urbanized City Disaster Coordinating Council.
Ms. Grace Villaspin of the Civil Defense Deputized Coordinator was 1st place in the National Gawad Kalasag competition; Tangub Punong Barangay Carlos Montano received the award as 1st Place in the Urban Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council; Brgy. Kagawad Joe Plomantes, third place, National Gawad Kalasag; Hoskyn Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council was 2nd place in the Rural Barangay Disaster Council. Punong Barangay Alfredo Occenola received the award. There were many awardees that were duly recognized and given trophies, led by Sec. Teodoro.