The Office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (OPDRRMO) led the kickoff of the 2023 National Disaster Resilience Month in the province through Cavite Rescue March on July 1, 2023. Attended by 300 participants, the event aimed to enhance and strengthen the capabilities of rescuers in the face of crisis and disaster.
Mr. Lester Zafra, the representative for the Rescue MARCH Philippines, revealed that the activity was initiated in 2015 as part of the proactive preparation of the country for “The Big One” disaster.
Meanwhile, Ms. Eloisa Rozul, head of OPDRRMO, imparted that the event served as a way to assess the capabilities, interoperability, and endurance of the responders in various scenarios. With this, strengths and weaknesses of every participant would be evaluated.
The march route began at Barangay Asis III, Mendez, and ended at the track oval of Tagaytay City. The exercise consisted of 3 stations that were designed to evaluate the participants’ responses to crises, such as when an individual sustained an injury, and when a person suddenly collapsed. The final station was the static display, presenting the available protective and rescue tools and equipment of various local government units (LGUs). (OPIO)