THE 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion conducted a three-day Water Safety and Lifesaving Skills Training at Deocampos Island Resort in Barangay Lanag Norte, Tubungan, Iloilo, training emergency responders and site guides from various barangays in water-based rescue operations during calamities from July 28 to 30, 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Jekyll Julian Dulawan, commanding officer of the 61IB based in Miagao, Iloilo, said the initiative demonstrates the military's commitment to disaster preparedness and building disaster-resilient communities beyond internal security responsibilities.
Dulawan said that soldiers' roles extend beyond internal security, as they also collaborate with communities to build safer environments through training and collaboration.
The training was attended by personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), emergency responders, and site guides from various barangays of Tubungan, aimed at equipping frontliners with essential skills and knowledge for water rescue operations.
Mayor Roquito Tacsagon of Tubungan emphasized the importance of investing in lifesaving competencies to ensure resident safety during natural disasters, highlighting the value of partnerships with military units.
The training was conducted in partnership with the Tubungan Municipal Government and the Philippine Tiger Search and Rescue Incorporated, spearheaded by Emelyn E. Tano, Municipal Government Assistant Department Head I (Public Employment Service Office) and project leader.
The comprehensive course included lectures and practical exercises on basic water survival, rescue techniques, and first aid response, with participants demonstrating significant improvement and confidence by the conclusion of the three-day program.
The 61IB reaffirmed its commitment to future training collaborations as part of community support programs designed to enhance local disaster preparedness capabilities.
Participants of the training program acquired practical skills in water rescue techniques, enabling them to respond more effectively to drowning incidents and water-related emergencies.
The training programs ensure frontline responders have necessary competencies to protect lives during water-related disasters. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)