To bolster its emergency response capabilities, the Iloilo provincial government established the Search, Rescue and Retrieval Team of Iloilo or the SRR-Iloilo Team in partnership with the uniformed sector.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement with the members of the uniformed sector to establish a framework for collaboration and cooperation among the Iloilo Provincial Government, Iloilo Police Provincial Office, Coast Guard Iloilo, Bureau of Fire Protection Iloilo, 301st Infantry Bridge of the Philippine Army, Regional Maritime Unit, and the Philippine Red Cross Iloilo.
Other signatories are IPPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Bayani M Razalan, Philippine Coast Guard Iloilo Station Commander Jan J Terazona, Provincial Fire Marshal F/SSupt Bartolome O Beliran, 301st Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Michael G Samsan, Regional Maritime Unit 6 Police Colonel Ervin Glenn U Provido, and Philippine Red Cross Iloilo Chapter Administrator Gilbert Paul L. Valderrama.
The signing was held on August 15, 2024, at the Casa Real de Iloilo during the special meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
PDRRMO-Iloilo chief Cornelio Salinas and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias witnessed the MOA signing.
The MOA outlines duties and responsibilities to streamline and strengthen coordination during disasters and emergencies, thereby minimizing loss and causalities.
In case of man-made disasters requiring immediate attention, the provincial government will promptly activate the SRR-Iloilo-Team for swift deployment. It will also provide essential logistical support to the team.
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.
The team shall collaborate closely with the LGU; facilitate essential training sessions for Iloilo’s emergency responders; and organize joint training exercises and drills.
A Joint Operations Center will also be established for real-time information exchange, resource allocation and deployment, and monitoring and evaluation of the overall response.
The creation of the SRR-Iloilo Team is a proactive step towards mitigating the effects of natural and man-made disasters and providing a safer environment for the Ilonggos.
(Capitol News)
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