The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), headed by Raynor Rodriguez, has rolled out an intensive search and rescue training program aimed at strengthening the city’s emergency response capability.
Mayor Leni Robredo underscored the importance of strengthening and systematically organizing the city’s search and rescue unit to ensure the safety and security of constituents.
The training, which began in the first week of April and is set to conclude on May 2, covers a wide range of rescue operations. These include land and water-based rescue exercises—utilizing the city’s Olympic-size swimming pool and a coastal site in Pasacao—as well as rappelling drills in high-rise structures and response training for vehicular and other types of accidents.
A total of 40 trainees are undergoing the rigorous course. Upon completion, they are expected to be fully equipped to respond to emergencies on a 24/7 basis, particularly during flooding caused by typhoons such as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which struck on October 22, 2024.
Rodriguez emphasized the physically demanding nature of the training and expressed hope that all participants would complete the program. He urged trainees to persevere despite the challenges, including the high heat index, and avoid dropping out midway through the course.
Evaluation of the trainees will be conducted by Renee Abiada, head of the CDRRMO’s operations unit.
Participants include personnel from various city government offices, as well as members of the Hagahag Mountaineering Group, further enhancing inter-agency and community collaboration in disaster response.
Mayor Leni Robredo underscored the importance of strengthening and systematically organizing the city’s search and rescue unit to ensure the safety and security of constituents.
Rodriguez added that the training will be conducted annually to build a larger pool of skilled rescuers and retrievers, reinforcing the city’s preparedness for future emergencies. I via Jason Neola
