Soldiers undergo disaster training in Zamboanga del Sur

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Disaster Response Operations Training  at Gavenia Building

PAGADIAN CITY, Zambonga del Sur, Oct. 29 (PNA) -- Forty troopers from the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion have undergone a 20-day Disaster Response Operations Training (DROT) training in this province.

Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Alvin Luzon said Wednesday they are composed of three officers and 36 enlisted personnel who have successfully completed the training from Oct. 6 to 27 at Camp David Sabido in the nearby town of Guipos.

Luzon said the training covered topics like first aid and basic life support, actual rescue and disaster relief operations.

Aside from Guipos, there were part of the training that were held in selected high rise buildings in this city and at the beach of the nearby municipality of Tukuran.

Luzon, who served as the course director, said they conducted the training to capacitate the troops with the knowledge on disaster response operations and management aside from combat operations.

“We are preparing our troopers to be the first responders because the disasters are now happening everywhere, as the world has changed because of climate change,” Luzon explained.

He encouraged the troops to always involve themselves in responding to natural calamities and help save lives for they have “the energy to serve others.”

“When you have helped others, you could not fathom your happiness and satisfaction,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, he acknowledged the invaluable logistical support and assistance extended by partner-agencies that resulted to the successful conduct of the training.

They are the following: provincial government through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management council (PDRRMC); Bureau of fire Protection (BFP); Office of Civil Defense (OCD); and, the Philippine National Red Cross (PRC)-Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Council.

“I commend them for their assistance in the entire duration of the training. I also thanked them for they are the people behind the completion of the training,” Luzon said. (PNA)
FPV/TPGJR/Hirohito D. Cadion