LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The Philippine Coast Guard has conducted a two-day water search and rescue training for 240 barangay officials and volunteers from the coastal villages of Albay province.

THE Philippine Coast Guard conducts water search and rescue training for barangay officials and volunteers in Albay over the weekend. (Contributed photo)

PCG Deputy Commander Special Operations Group Bicol Lt. Junior Grade Jerson E. Cervantes said that participants were trained on basic rescue procedures and proper handling of rescue equipment.

"Very important po ang training na ito especially para sa mga barangay officials kasi sila po ‘yung unang mga responders when it comes to disasters. Para malaman din nila ‘yung tamang pagamit ng mga rescue equipment at ‘yung tamang pag-coconduct ng rescue sa mga distressed persons o drowning victims," Cervantes said.

(This training is very important for barangay officials because they are first responders when it comes to disasters. They learn how to properly use rescue equipment and rescue distressed persons or drowning victims)

Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Christopher Co, who initiated the event, said that participants were from the coastal barangays of Manito and Legazpi City.

Co conducted the training after the province was devastated by tropical cyclone "Kristine" last month. Social media was overwhelmed by posts from the people of this province seeking rescue due to massive flooding.

"Napansin natin na nung nakaraang baha, ‘yung iba hanggang dibdib, ‘yung iba hindi na maka-alis kung kaya kailangan magkaroon tayo ng training sa water search and rescue. ‘Yung bawat munisipyo, i-training natin para magkaroon ng mga kaalaman kung papano magrescue sa tubig, kung may landslide," Co said.

(Flood was chest deep. People can’t leave. That is why we conducted a water search and rescue training. We trained every municipality to enable them to have knowledge on water rescue and if there is landslide)

Co said that participants were selected based on the required age, basic skills in swimming, and other physical attributes.

"Kailangan kasi dapat bata bata pa. Kasi kung matatanda na, takot na ang mga ‘yan," he said.

(Participants need to be trained young. They can’t be trained when they are old. They are scared)

Co said that through a series of trainings for barangay officials and volunteers from the community, rescue during times of calamities would be easy for the government.

"Kailangan din na huwag na tayong umasa sa gobyerno. Sa bundok wala namang Coast Guard, sino mag-rerescue sa kanila kung sakali? Napaka-importante ito kasi may reresponde na kaagad sa mga barangay nila oras na magkaroon ng mga ire-rescue," he said.

(We must not rely on the government. The Coast Guard is not present in the mountains, who will rescue the people there? This is training is important as there will be responders in barangays for people who need to be rescued)

Co donated rescue equipment to participants. The training was held from Friday to Saturday.