SUBIC BAY FREEPORT- Fifty health workers from the remote communities in the municipality of Subic, Zambales on Friday completed capability trainings on emergency response-related courses at the Travelers Hotel here.
The two-day training was sponsored by the Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. (RPEI) and in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the municipality of Subic and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
Reynalita Santana, vice-president and External Affairs head Meralco PowerGen, said the training was specially designed for Rural Health Unit officers, Municipal Health Workers, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, who are detailed in areas that has limited access to transportation and communication.
Most of the participants came from Sitio Nagbayukan, Nagyantok, Nagtulong and Sampaloc, all coastal communities of barangay Cawag in Redondo Peninsula which are accessible only by one-hour boat ride from Subic town. Others were from barangay Matain, Calapacuan, and Pamatawan.
“They are dedicated workers who are committed to help the residents, specially the children, to be healthy and safe, though far from the access to electricity, communications or even transportation,” Santana noted.
She added that it is so even important that they receive refresher course or new knowledge that could help them familiarize and improve their skills and to apply them effectively in time of emergency.
The training included lectures and discussions on Emergency First Aid by Jeffrey Rodejo, RN, and Hazel Jane Quintero, RN, both certified instructors from the PRC; Communication Skills by Brian Bagtas, RN, of SBMA Public Health and Safety Department; and Disaster Preparedness by Jared Radovan of Baypointe Hospital.
The activity also included “Usapang Kalusugan,” a dialogue between Dr. Solomon Jacalne, head, SBMA PHSD; R. Leonardo Afable Jr., head, Subic Municipal Health Office; Mary Grace Molina and Maria Trinidad Gallardo of Subic RHU, where programs on how to improve health services in the communities and cooperation between RPE and LGUs were discussed
RP Energy is the developer of an environment-friendly and state-of-the-art 600-MW Circulating-Fluidized-Bed coal-fired power plant in Subic.
Meanwhile, SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma lauded RP Energy for initiating the training for the community health workers of Redondo Peninsula and other remote communities in Subic.
“It is very important that residents in our coastal communities, especially those from areas where transportation and communication are lacking, have a team of trained and skillful health workers who would respond in case of emergency,” said.
She said SBMA may have the best land and sea search and rescue group, but still, educating the stakeholders on various phases of disaster, such as, response, management and rehabilitation would minimize the effect of any unwarranted situation.
She noted that SBMA, through its Fire and Law Enforcement Departments, has continuous education programs that involve students and teachers, workers and investors and residents in earthquake and fire drills.
“Being alert and knowing what to do during emergency will always keep us all safe,” she said. (Dante M. Salvana)