ILOILO – The provincial government has established a Search, Rescue, and Retrieval Team, dubbed the SRR-Iloilo Team, as part of efforts to bolster its emergency response capabilities.
This was formalized during a special meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at Casa Real de Iloilo on August 15.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement with representatives from the uniformed sector, setting up a collaborative framework among various agencies, including the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, Philippine Coast Guard Iloilo, Bureau of Fire Protection Iloilo, the 301st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, the Regional Maritime Unit, and the Philippine Red Cross Iloilo.
The SRR-Iloilo Team, which will include a minimum of 16 well-trained search and rescue teams, is tasked with swift deployment during man-made disasters requiring immediate attention.
Additionally, the provincial government will provide essential logistical support to facilitate the team’s operations.
The team will work closely with local government units, conduct necessary training for emergency responders, and organize joint exercises and drills. A Joint Operations Center will also be established to ensure real-time information exchange, resource allocation, and monitoring of the overall response.
The agreement was also signed by several key officials: Iloilo police provincial director Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, Coast Guard Iloilo station commander Jan J. Terazona, Provincial Fire Marshal Fire Senior Superintendent Bartolome Beliran, 301IB commander Brigadier General Michael G. Samson, Police Colonel Ervin Glenn Provido of the Regional Maritime Unit, and Red Cross Iloilo administrator Gilbert Paul Valderrama.
Witnesses to the signing were PDRRMO-Iloilo chief Cornelio Salinas and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias.
The MOA outlines the duties and responsibilities aimed at streamlining and enhancing coordination during disasters and emergencies to minimize loss and casualties./PN
