Lanao Norte hosts 1st emergency response confab

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – Close to 900 emergency responders from 10 municipalities in the province participated in the first province-wide Emergency Response Unit (ERU) Congress on September 19 at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) Sports Complex here.

Each town sent a local emergency response team to participate in the skills competition conducted during the provincial congress.

The competition, which included basic life support and first-aid simulation, was evaluated by volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross-Lanao del Norte and officers from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

Among the towns that participated in the congress were Tubod, Baroy, Kapatagan, Lala, Kolambugan, Matungao, Linamon, Kauswagan, Maigo and Bacolod.

CAGAYAN DE ORO. A rescue responder receives his brand new cellphone from Lanao del Norte officials for winning in a raffle during the first ever province-wide Emergency Response Unit Congress held on September 19 at the Mindanao Civic Center Sports Complex in Tubod town. (Contributed photo)

The town of Baroy won the top spot and received one spine board as first prize while the second and third places went to Linamon and Maigo who also received first aid kits and collar support boards.

The Provincial Government will also be providing the 22 municipalities with a Medical Rescue Kit.

Most of Lanao del Norte’s barangays also sent their five-man Barangay Emergency Response Teams to gain additional knowledge and life-saving skills in handling natural calamities and human-induced crisis.

Every participant present was given a first-aid kit, free meals and snacks plus P300 as transportation allowance.

At least 100 units of brand new cellphones were given away to lucky participants during the raffle draw.

To help the first responders during medical emergencies in their own family, the Provincial Government also provided each rescue team member with health insurance which could be used by both the responder and their dependents.

“This is a historic event because this is the first emergency response unit congress to be held here in Northern Mindanao. We are also proud to be declared as having the best emergency response in Mindanao,” said Provincial Administrator Joselito Quibranza. (PR)