LEGAZPI CITY: As the Philippines faces the irreversible impact of climate change triggered by global warming—a demonstration of skills, ingenuity, readiness, inter-operability, competence and resourcefulness will be showed off by disaster managers and rescuers from across the country through the first National Rescue and Disaster Response Competition (NRDRC) in Albay two weeks from now here.
Through the initiative Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay, the NRDRC will be conducted to test and check out the readiness of the country’s rescuers and disaster officials in the worst impact of disaster events such as super typhoon Reming in Albay in 2006 and Typhoon Ondoy in Metro Manila last year.

“This contest aims to promote the importance of an organized and solid rescue group, its knowledge and application of techniques, equipment usages and command system for teams engage in search and rescue operations,” Salceda said.

“The importance of the NRDRC is to bring together teams of rescue personnel across the country who are committed not only to display their ability but also to expand their practical skills by learning and teaching each others as well as developing and promoting best safe practice. The ethos that we want to create in the competition is not merely to win the event. It is more about improving the skills of the participating rescuers in order that they better be able to deliver a professional service to the public,” Salceda added.

The Bicol region, specifically the province of Albay lies within the geographically hazard prone area and is always threatened regularly by calamities.

Jojo Elvira, chief of the Agri-Rehab Office and organizer of the NRDRC told The Manila Times that three significant events such as rough terrain search and rescue effort, air and water rescue missions will be done during the three-day rigid competition within the end of this month.

At least 45 teams across the country signified to participate in the competition.

Elvira said that the best team will be winning P300,000 for first prize, P200,000 for second prize and P100,000 for third prize.

Rhaydz B. Barcia