Guardians hold disaster response training

INSTEAD of preparing for a grand feast, members of the Union of Guardians Inc. held disaster response training at the covered court of Barangay Lapasan over the weekend as part of their first year anniversary celebration.

The Union of Guardians Inc. is an umbrella member of Guardians International Inc.

Rey Maraunay, a member of Union of Guardians Inc., said the training is aimed at giving the members the skills needed to response to any disaster.

“We have prepared ourselves for the worst so when disasters come in the future, we will be able to help. This is our contribution to the city,” Maraunay said.

The training includes rescue operation, earthquake and flood disaster response and first aid.

Maraunay said they hope to re-echo the training to all their members in the country.

Aside from the training, the 1st national convention of all Union of Guardians 33 branches is slated to be held in Cagayan de Oro, which would serve as the highlight of the celebration.

Maraunay said the convention will be attended by GII President Danny Lain and heads of 33 branches.

“Our group is the 18th branch in the city and we have more than a thousand members recognized among the 86 branches, having an estimate of six million members all over the Philippines,” he said.

The Union of Guardians Inc. brotherhood, according to Maraunay, was formed after martial law with policemen and soldiers as original members.

Later, he said the group adopted civilian members but unfortunately, it became inactive due to “different factions.”

“But our group is now back on track. We will continue our mission to be forever Guardians to our fellow members, our society and nature,” he said. (Nicole J. Managbanag)