The PCG District North Western Luzon conducted series of specialized training on March 12-20, 2025. (Photo courtesy: PCG NWL)
BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is conducting training and seminars on water search and rescue (WASAR) for personnel of local government units and local disaster risk reduction and management offices in time for the summer break.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Juanito Melad, commander of the Special Operations Unit of the PCG District North Western Luzon, said LGUs who are interested in these training may send a request to their office.
“Ang Philippine Coast Guard ay nagca-cater ng trainings, activities. So, mag-request lang kayo sa amin. Willing po ang Coast Guard magturo,” Melad assured prospective participants.
The training is free and often lasts for five days, especially for water and search rescue training.
The only cost to be handled by the partner agency is the housing and lodging of the trainers who will conduct the training.
Melad also said that anyone can be a rescuer, whether knowledgeable in swimming or not.
“May tinatawag kasi tayong dalawang types of rescuing technique. Contact rescue, kailangan mo tumalon sa tubig or mahawakan ang victim. Ang non-contact rescue, hindi mo siya kailangan hawakan,” he said.
Melad shared that there are four types of non-contact rescue.
This includes the Talk, where you need to talk to the drowning person; Reach, where you can reach and use sticks, wood, bamboo, or anything to reach that person; Throw, or throw anything that the person can use to hold on; and the Throw and Tow, throwing an object with a rope to pull or calling the counterpart agencies, local DRRMOs, or local officials. (JDP/DEG/Liezel Castillijos-PIA CAR-BSU Intern)
