ILOILO CITY (PIA) – The Iloilo provincial government has created the Search, Rescue and Retrieval (SRR) team of the province together with the uniformed sector to boost its emergency and disaster response capabilities.
The creation of the team was formalized during the meeting of the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on August 15, 2024 following the signing of memorandum of agreement of the provincial government, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Iloilo, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Iloilo, 301st Infantry Bridge of the Philippine Army, Regional Maritime Unit, and the Philippine Red Cross Iloilo.
The MOA was signed by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., IPPO director Police Colonel Bayani M Razalan, PCG-Iloilo station commander Jan J Terazona, BFP-Iloilo fire marshal F/SSupt Bartolome O Beliran, 301st Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Michael G Samsan, Regional Maritime Unit Police Colonel Ervin Glenn U. Provido, and Philippine Red Cross Iloilo Chapter Administrator Gilbert Paul L. Valderrama.
The MOA outlines duties and responsibilities to streamline and strengthen coordination during disasters and emergencies, thereby minimizing loss and casualties.
PDRRMC chief Cornelio Salinas, who witnessed the signing together with Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, said that under the agreement, the SRR-Iloilo Team will deploy a minimum of 16 well-trained Search and Rescue teams to support the emergency response efforts of the province.
In case of man-made disasters requiring immediate attention, the provincial government will promptly activate the SRR-Iloilo-Team for swift deployment and it will also provide essential logistical support to the team.
Salinas also presented that the team shall collaborate closely with the LGU; facilitate essential training sessions for Iloilo’s emergency responders; and organize joint training exercises and drills.
There will also be a Joint Operations Center for real time information exchange, resource allocation and deployment, and monitoring and evaluation of the overall response. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
