Rescuers, volunteers receive awards from RDCC Region 2

Tuguegarao City (25 August) — Rescue groups and some civilian volunteers were given honors by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) Region 2 in grateful recognition to the efforts and heroic acts they have rendered during the search and retrieval operation of the crashed “Chemtrad Plane” and rescue operations during typhoons and floods.

P/CSupt. Roberto M. Damian, PNP 2 Regional Director, RDCC-Chairman, and OCD-Regional Director Melchito M. Castro, RDCC-Executive Officer, conferred the certificate of recognition to agencies, rescue groups, civilian volunteers and RDCC member agencies as part of the culminating activity of the National Disaster Consciousness Month Celebration.

For the “Chemtrad” retrieval operations, RDCC has recognized the Bureau of Fire Protection Kalinga together with its 7 fire officers, 4 civilian volunteers from Kalinga Province, 2 civilian volunteers from Baggao, Cagayan, 2 officers from the Aviation Security Group, Philippine Air Force, Police officers from PNP-Baggao, 19 army officers from the 17th Infantry Battalion, 15 officers from the Tactical Operations Group Philippine Air Force, 11 officers of 505 Search and Security Group Philippine Air Force, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, PDCC-Cagayan and Isabela, CDCC Tuguegarao, BFP Cagayan and PNP-Cagayan.

The active participation of all RDCC members, media institutions, Non-government organizations, fire stations, rescue groups and schools were also recognized by the RDCC officials for making the activities of NDCM fruitful and colorful, most especially in the conduct of earthquake and fire drills in different campuses within the region.

Damian said recognizing the efforts of the groups and individuals who have been partners of RDCC in all endeavors is not enough but it serves as an inspiration to the people to showcase that even in the midst of trials and disasters there are people whom we can rely on, ready to save lives.

Damian specifically mentioned the roles of each group during the calamities that struck the region. The rescue groups who displayed heroism during typhoons, floods, search, rescue and retrieval operations, the RDCC members as initiators of NDCM activities, the media entities who have been partners in giving accurate, timely and desired information for the public, the NGOS, Schools and civilians who were with the RDCC during the earthquake and fire drills and also during rescue operations. (Oliver B/PIA 2)