DAVAO ORIENTAL – To equip the province’s emergency response teams more knowledge on rescue in order to help save lives, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has facilitated the first Basic Rescue Training in Davao Oriental.

Around 35 personnel from the PDRRMO and the Bureau of Fire Protection have undergone the 15-day training which hopes to inculcate basic knowledge and refresh participants on basic rescue skills.

“This training will come in handy in times of emergencies especially that the Davao Oriental is prone to disasters such as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes,” said PDRRMO Assistant Department Head Francis Jason Bendulo.

Concurrent Mati City Fire Marshall Senior Inspector Christian Cena said that aside from enhancing the participants’ knowledge and skills on basic rescue, the training also intends to improve their leadership skills as well as increase their appreciation on the value of teamwork.

Chief Inspector Randolf Arutante, the Provincial Fire Marshal of Compostela Valley Province, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the training said that aside from training personnel from provincial offices and national agencies, the Basic Rescue Training is set to be cascaded down at the barangay level.

He said that it will be one of the activities to be undertaken under the Executive Order 70 Whole-of-Nation Approach of President Rodrigo Duterte which is intended not only to attain peace and order but also to foster disaster-resilient communities and practice good governance.

He added that by bringing rescue trainings down to the grassroots level will help deepen the bond between the community and the government.

The recently held basic rescue training was preceded by a physical fitness test held at the Davao Oriental Sports Complex followed by a reception at the PDRRMO compound.

The PDRRMO, which hosted and facilitated the training, also provided the resources such as equipment and funding for the training. Photos by Rhea Shane Laureano