Subic rescue team gets special citation

SUBIC FREEPORT -- President Arroyo has presented a special citation to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s (SBMA) fire and rescue team for its preparedness and willingness to respond to emergencies at all times.

The SBMA fire and rescue team won the special recognition for being the “Best Support Organization/Institution” in the 2009 Gawad Kalasag Awards held in Malacañang last week.

The Gawad Kalasag Awards, which is organized by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), recognizes individuals, groups or institutions that have shown extraordinary courage, heroism, self-sacrifice and bravery in times of emergencies and disasters.

President Arroyo and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro presented the special citation to the SBMA fire and rescue team for its “invaluable services, competence, and commitment in preparing for and responding to emergencies within and outside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.”

SBMA Fire Chief Ranny Magno and his team received the Kalasag award, and shared the citation with the rest of SBMA personnel.

“This is something that only the SBMA fire and rescue team should be proud of. We earned this national award because of the support of everyone in SBMA,” Magno said.

The SBMA fire and rescue team had earlier received several other commendations for its emergency responses and rescue missions in the past.

Last July 28, the Cordillera Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (CRDCC) recognized the SBMA team for its help in rescuing trapped miners in Itogon, Benguet in September, 2008.

The award was presented by CRDCC regional director Olive Luces in Baguio City.

Magno recalled that after getting the emergency call from Baguio City in the afternoon of that fateful day in September, the SBMA rescue team was immediately organized such that all were already heading for Baguio by midnight.

A few minutes after the team’s arrival at the collapsed mine shaft in Itogon, Benguet, the operation to rescue the trapped miners started. Before noon the following day, the team has rescued the first trapped miner.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said SBMA will always be ready to send its fire and rescue teams anywhere and at anytime to help save lives and property. (Jonas Reyes - Manila Bulletin)