FORTY-nine barangays in Camalig, Albay received brand-new rescue vehicles from Ako Bicol party-list on Saturday, Nov. 8, as part of efforts to strengthen local emergency and disaster response. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Caloy G. Baldo)
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - Forty-nine barangays in the municipality of Camalig, Albay have received brand-new L300 rescue vehicles, a major boost to the town’s disaster response and emergency operations.
Barangay captains personally received them during a formal turnover ceremony on Saturday at the Camalig Command Center (CCC) in Barangay Salugan.
According to Mayor Caloy Baldo, the acquisition of the rescue vehicles was made possible through the efforts of Ako Bicol party-list, which secured approximately P71 million in funding for the project.
Baldo said the vehicles were procured at a bid amount of P1.21 million each, allowing the local government to save over P11.4 million from the total allocation.
“On behalf of the entire local government of Camalig, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ako Bicol party-list for providing the funding that made this long-time dream a reality,” Baldo said.
Each rescue vehicle is fully equipped with a first-aid kit, oxygen tank with regulator, stethoscope, stretcher with foam and safety belt, and emergency rechargeable lamp.
The package also includes insurance and LTO registration.
To complement the initiative, the local government procured a water tank to ensure sufficient water supply, especially for barangays not regularly reached by water services.
“This is part of our continuous effort to strengthen emergency and disaster response capabilities across all barangays,” Baldo added.
Before deployment, drivers underwent orientation and training conducted by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), focusing on proper vehicle management, repair, and maintenance.
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) also participated in sessions about the referral system to ensure efficient coordination during emergencies.
These vehicles were immediately utilized during pre-emptive evacuation efforts in preparation for super typhoon “Uwan," demonstrating their vital role in the municipality’s disaster readiness and community resilience, Baldo said.