Saving lives

A TEAM of 19 trained emergency responders from the mining firm St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited (SAGCL) braved the strong winds and rampaging floodwaters brought about by Typhoon Pablo last month and saved hundreds of Pantukan residents from harm.

The team was led by Michael Salaguinto with Abdul Basit Pinute, Robert Cabigas, Rhina Orejela, Edwin Seno, Jummary Junio, Arjay Nacilla, Robert Tubida, Leslie Suico, Roger Beduya, Altohami Camamara, Roderick Ba-o, Nor-akbar Amil, Rasven Demura, James Baylosis, Joseph Balderas, Merchie Apple Ba-o, Montesa Samonte, and Alejandro Gaid.

Even before the landfall of Pablo in the adjacent province of Davao Oriental, the KCGP responders were already busy preparing for their rescue mission as per advice by Jonathan Bañez, community development and political affairs manager/rescue coordinator of SAGCL.

They instructed for the KCGP Rescue team to be on alert and to recall all Community Responders (Comres). The Team coordinated with the Municipal Risk Reduction Management Council of Pantukan.

The team was instructed to help all evacuees and take all of them to the evacuation centers.

"If there's an injured person we would give them immediate care and transport them to Compostela Valley Province Hospital (CVPH) of Pantukan if the situation worsens due to the calamity," Salaguinto said in a written report to Bañez.

The KCGP also touched base with the local government unit, and the Philippine Army for a better coordination of their rescue efforts during the typhoon.

On the evening of December 3, the KCGP responders went on air over the radio and appealed to the Pantukan residents to cooperate with the rescue effort of MDRRMC if situation worsens and make a voluntary evacuation if needed.

On December 4 at around 1 a.m., the heavy winds and partial rains came. All responders were already on alert by four in the morning just as Typhoon Pablo made a landfall in Baganga, Davao Oriental.

The heavy wind and rains were throughout the Compostela Valley province. Salaguinto started to brief all responders regarding the equipment that they need, assigned groupings and safety precautions that will be made.

"We ended the briefing with a prayer that shall guide us all upon doing all actions for the community," Salaguinto recalled.

At 5 a.m., the team moved out and had a reconnaissance to the areas of Mendoza, Tunga, and Lahi inBarangay Magnaga; Cebulida and Sta. Cruz in Kingking; and the areas going to the Municipal Hall of Pantukan.

The team reported to Napoleon Cuahao, MDRRMC Action Officer, and Felimon Gamad, municipal administrator/OIC Mayor, about the trees that fell on power lines, and coconuts that barricaded the roads.

Afterwhich, they went to Barangay Kingking Hall and forwarded the same report to the barangay officials.

After hours of adrenaline-pumping rescue efforts, the team of 19 brave souls went back to their families in good health and without any injuries.

St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. is currently undertaking the feasibility study for mining the Kingking Copper and Gold deposit in Pantukan. They are conducting extensive environmental and social baseline studies, community consultations, exploratory drillings and other related studies within the area.