The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recently conferred the Bakas Parangal ng Kagitingan to five (5) Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) rescuers who died in the line of service during the Luksang Parangal para sa mga Yumaong Lingkod Bayan.
George Agustin, Troy Justin Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Jerson Resurrecion, and Narciso Calayag Jr. were posthumously awarded during the tribute organized by the Bulacan Provincial Government held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium on September 30, 2022.
Bakas Parangal ng Kagitingan is of the prestigious recognitions bestowed by the NDRRMC to individuals who exhibited extraordinary acts of bravery by extending assistance to those in need in times of disaster beyond the call of duty while Bakas Parangal is a recognition of merit and token of thanksgiving bestowed by the NDRRMC to individuals or groups who have exerted exemplary and extraordinary acts of selflessness in reaching out to those who are in urgent need of assistance in times of calamities and disasters.
Undersecretary (Usec) Raymundo B. Ferrer, Civil Defense Administrator (CDA) along with Office of Civil Defense Regional Office 3 (OCD3) Regional Director Cesar M. Idio, Dir. Edgar L. Posadas, and other OCD officers handed the plaque, certificate, and cash assistance to each of the families of the fallen heroes.
In his message, Usec Ferrer lauded the said rescuers as he paid his respect on behalf of NDRRMC Chairperson and Department of National Defense (DND) Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino, Jr.
“Ang Bulacan po ay nabansagang Land of the Heroes. Naniniwala po ako na pinatotohanan po ng ating mga rescuers na totoong Land of the Heroes and Bulacan. Sana po ay maging halimbawa ang ipinakita nilang kabayanihan at tularan lalo na po ng ating mga kabataan. Nagpapasalamat din po ako na ang Bulacan ay isang halimbawa na buhay na buhay ang volunteerism sa ating bansa” he said.
It could be noted that on September 26, 2022 at 7:00 AM, after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding, five members of the Bulacan Provincial Recue were found lifeless in different areas of Sitio Banga Banga, Brgy Camias, San Miguel, Bulacan after a concerned citizen informed the San Miguel Municipal Police Station.
Police reports said, around 12:00 MN of September 26, 2022, said rescuers, on board a rescue boat, together with FSRR and MDRRMO of San Miguel were dispatched to different affected areas to rescue stranded individuals and families.
Along the way, a concrete fence collapsed and the strong current wiped away their boat due to strong current which eventually led to their drowning.
Also present in the said Luksang Parangal are officials of the Province of Bulacan led by Governor Daniel Fernando and Vice Governor Alex Castro.
CDA’s Visit at OCD3
Before his scheduled attendance to the tribute for the Bulacan rescuers, Usec Ferrer, together with his party made their first stop at OCD3. He was welcomed and received by the officers and personnel of this Regional Office.
He was briefed at the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (RDRRMOC) by RD Idio starting with the presentation about the Regional Office, the effects of Supertyphoon Karding in Central Luzon, actions taken as well the assistance provided and extended by the RDRRMC3 to the affected LGUs.
Also, RD Idio assured the CDA that NFIs coming from the different clusters as well as those requested to the OCD will be delivered to the affected areas as soon as possible.