Cops join training on disaster preparedness

Friday, February 17, 2012

POLICE officers from various provinces in Northern Mindanao and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan underwent Disaster Preparedness Trainors’ Training last February 6 to 11 at Camp Alagar in Barangay Lapasan.

Police Superintendent Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga, Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao information officer, said the six-day activity was part of the continuing disaster preparedness trainors’ training for police officers and members of the Barangay Peace Action Teams (BPAT).

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The six-day activity was initiated following the devastation brought by Tropical Storm Sendong last December 16, 2011, which affected Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities and claimed thousands of lives and billions worth of damage to property and infrastructures.

At least six police officers from the national headquarters in Camp Crame facilitated the training. The participating rescue teams later vied with each other during the drills.

The participants were also able to learn the basic skills of knot-tying, rappelling, rescue and evacuation, first aid and the handling of rescue boats.

According to Police Superintendent Niño D. Rabaya, one of the training staff, at least 94 participants joined the training where 21 of them are BPAT members who will then re-echo what they have learned from the training to their respective units and barangays.

The graduation of trainees and the recognition of police non-commissioned officers followed after the training with Misamis Oriental Representative Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano (2nd district) as the keynote speaker.

Emano congratulated the graduates as he emphasized the need to equip police officers and barangay peacekeepers with the skills and techniques in saving the lives of people in time of calamities. (Annabelle L. Ricalde)