Disaster teams from 10 different schools and four barangays in the City of San Fernando put their preparedness skills to the test during the 2nd CSF Community Disaster Volunteers Capability Assessment held September 1 at the Heroes Hall.
The activity was realized through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in partnership with the Department of Education Division of City of San Fernando and Philippine Red Cross Pampanga-Angeles City Chapter.
Present during the activity were City Administrator’s Office Engr. Fernando Limbitco and Chapter Manager of the Philippine Red Cross Pampanga-Angeles City Chapter Augusto Ocampo.
Consisting of two categories namely Barangay and School, the 14 teams competed in different activities such as information education; bandaging relay; lifting and moving relay and situational analysis. Each group was also rated based on their preparedness capability, knowledge of handling and using disaster equipment and teamwork.
CDRRM Officer Raymond Del Rosario said the annual activity seeks to develop the skills of the participants to help them lead during disaster as well as to raise awareness on the importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency.
“Ang mga kalamidad at sakuna ay walang pinipiling oras at panahon, kaya naman napakahalaga na ang bawat isa sa atin ay may sapat na kaalaman patungkol sa mga tamang gawain sa pagreresponde,” Del Rosario said.
In an interview, Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago said that the local government cannot do it all alone. Thus, he is encouraging every Fernandino to be prepared at all times so as to lessen fear, anxiety and the damaging effects of calamities and disasters.
“Dapat lagi tayong handa sa ano mang sakuna na pwedeng tumama sa atin kaya naman aming pinalalakas ang kakayahan ng lahat ng paaralan at barangay dito sa ating syudad dahil sila ang kasangga ng CDRRMO sa pagresponde. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon kailangan ding manaig ang pagkakaisa,” Santiago said.
Meanwhile, Brgy. Del Rosario was awarded as champion and also received special awards such as the Early Bird, Best in Bandaging Relay and Best in Lifting and Moving Relay. Brgy. Sindalan was hailed as 1st runner up followed by Brgy. San Juan (2nd runner up) who also won the Best in Information Education and Best in Situational Awareness award for the barangay category.
For the second time in a row, the Information Communication Technology High School was awarded as the champion for the school category. It also received special awards like Best in Information Education, Best in Bandaging Relay, Best in Lifting and Moving Relay and Best in Situational Awareness.
Meanwhile, Panipuan High School was awarded as 1st runner up followed by Lyndale Academy (2nd runner up) with an Early Bird Award.
Best in Uniform award were given to Brgy Sto Nino and Sindalan High as respectively.