DILG gives Bulacan rescuers who died in Karding ops a ‘snappy salute’

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday honored the five rescuers who perished while on a rescue mission at the height of Super Typhoon Karding by giving them a "snappy salute."

In a statement, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. extended the DILG's deepest condolences and sincerest prayers to the families of the five rescuers who, like the thousand others tirelessly working in local government units, including police and fire personnel around the country, exhibited unparalleled commitment to public service during the storm.

"Ang inyo pong serbisyo ay hindi matatapatan ng kahit anumang halaga lalo na sa panahon ng kalamidad. Salamat po sa inyo!" said Abalos.

"Our snappy salute to Narciso Calayag, Jerson Resurreccion, Marvy Bartolome, George Agustin, and Troy Justin Agustin of the BPDRRMO for responding to the call of duty and rendering an unequivocal testament of genuine public service even at the expense of their own lives... May we all find inspiration in their dedication to duty and be comforted that their lives were not wasted and were lived for the service of their fellow Filipinos," he said.

Earlier in the day, San Miguel Mayor Roderick Tiongson reported that the five rescuers were killed in a flash flood in Barangay Camias on Sunday evening.

According to Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, the rescuers used a boat after their truck broke down on their way to their mission. Due to a flash flood, a wall collapsed and hit them.

In a statement, Senate National Defense Committee Chairman Jinggoy Estrada tagged the death of the five Bulacan rescuers as "unfortunate" and called for the passage of the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience.

"In times of disaster, we need our first responders to be well-equipped and well-trained. This incident should be an eye-opener on the need to consider an agency or department in charge of disaster response to oversee not only the needs of the public but the management of personnel," he said.

"We’re hoping that the Executive Branch will take a second look at the proposed bills calling for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) or consider pursuing an agency on this matter," he added.

Estrada is one of the seven senators who filed a bill creating the proposed DDR.

Under his version, benefits, allowances, and other similar emoluments for disaster management professionals and disaster resilience officers at the national and local levels were proposed.

"Maaaring maiwasan natin sa darating na panahon ang mga ganitong pangyayari kung ang ating mga first responders ay may mga sapat na kagamitan, kasanayan at koordinasyon sa mga kinauukulan habang tinutupad nila ang kanilang mga tungkulin at sila din ay nabigyan ng kaukulang tulong," he ended.

(We can prevent these incidents in the future if our first responders have enough equipment, training, and coordination with the authorities while they are doing their duties so they could also receive help if necessary.)

"Umaasa tayo na ang mga naulila nila ay hindi pababayaan ng mga kinauukulan at mabibigyan ng kaukulang pagkilala at ayuda," he ended.

(We hope that the bereaved families will receive assistance and recognition from the authorities.) — DVM, GMA News