“Bantay Kalamidad, Sagip Buhay” launched at Pigcawayan

Barangay Responders gathered in the launching of “Bantay Kalamidad, Sagip Buhay” at the  municipal gymnasium of Pigcawayan last August 2, 2012.

The said program aims to increase the volunteers’ understanding of their respective community’s setting  and conditions with respect to a specific type of disaster; to train them on what they need to do to prepare for a disaster, and to increase their ability to conduct a community risk analysis.

Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Talino-Mendoza, the guest speaker in the launching program in Pigcawayan said that organizing a group of responders in a barangay is a symbol of unity and bayanihan. She emphasized that every resident has the right to save and be saved.

“I am happy to see a great number of volunteers today.  It is very important that every barangay in Cotabato has the capacity to act and help their fellow Cotabateno in times of disasters. I would like to add that the Municipality of Pigcawayan is one of the best implementers of government projects in our province - and as an incentive, we will find a way to put up a covered court to replace your old municipal gymnasium”, the governor said.

Through the North Cotabato Emergency Response Team (NCERT), the Integrated Provincial Hospital Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail and Management Penology, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other partner agencies, the two-day training program provided the barangay volunteers with basic knowledge and skills on how to respond to natural and man-made disasters like flash floods, fire incidents, and vehicular accidents.

Part of the training given by the NCERT was the initiation of vehicular extrication through the provided high-end gadgets, hydraulic machines, and equipment. The Integrated Provincial Hospital Office provided the basic life support and first aid training, the  BFP on fire safety, and the BJMP on water safety.

“Bantay Kalamidad, Sagip Buhay” is a program implemented by the Provincial Government of Cotabato funded through the disaster preparedness funds amounting to PhP 2.16M. It is intended for the 17 municipalities and 1 city of the province.

After Pigcawayan the LGUs of Banisilan, Alamada and Mlang have already conducted their disaster preparedness training. Simultaneous trainings are scheduled to be conducted at the Midsayap and Aleosan on August 22-23, 2012.

During the training, food and accommodation are shouldered by the LGUs as their counterpart.
Each successful participant is given a certificate of completion after the training.