The provincial government of Ilocos Sur, through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), partners with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to conduct an annual water search and rescue training for the first responders of the province.
 
Since 2009, thousands of first responders have undergone rigorous training and have helped educate their co-rescuers on the skills they learned as well.
 
Recently, a total of 67 first responders in the province finished the five-day Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Training and Rubber Boat Operation and Maintenance Training with Basic Life Support held in Bantay and Magsingal town.

This year's WASAR graduates dubbed as Batch "SALAKNIB" (Salakay Kahit Mapanganib) 2023 are composed of delegates from the PDRRMO Ilocos Sur, DRRM offices of Sinait, Sta. Lucia, Tagudin, Vigan City, Santiago, Gregorio Del Pilar, and San Ildefonso, along with delegates from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
 
In an interview, PDRRM Officer Rhon Arquelada said this year’s training was more intensive as it included new activities such as Rubber Boat Operation and Maintenance Training and Basic Life Support.
 
“Very timely itong training lalo at rainy season na at high risk for flooding, storm surge ang karamihang lugar sa probinsya. Malaking tulong itong another 67 na manpower natin dito sa probinsya upang mapalakas ang search and rescue natin,” he said.
 
Apart from the aforementioned activities, Batch SALAKNIB also underwent the following activities: On Basic Search and Rescue Principles – Water Search and Rescue Operation Lecture, Proficiency Swim, Breath Holding 30 Seconds Underwater, Underwater Swim, Life-Saving Techniques, Water Treading 10 Minutes, Knot Tying, Breath Holding 45 Seconds, Swimming 200 Meters (Freestyle, Breast Stroke), Water Survival Techniques, Life Saving Techniques, Water Treading 20 Minutes, Breath Holding 1 Minute, Swimming 400 Meters, Rubber Boat Maneuvering, Group Survival Techniques, 1-Mile Swim, and Mass Casualty Incident Scenario; and on Emergency Medical Response – Standard First Aid, Demonstration of CPR, Bandaging and Splinting, Rescue and Transfer, and Spine Board Management.

It was Kristine Alfaro’s first time participating in the said training.
 
She is from Tagudin DRRM, which is one of the coastal municipalities in the province.
 
“As a first timer in this training, it is a big opportunity for me kasi marami akong natutunan at magagamit ko ang mga natutunan kong skills from PCG at PDRRMO lalo na ngayon paiba-iba ang panahon at mga bagyo. Hindi lang ito ang pwede nating maitulong, hindi lang sa land kundi pati sa water, kasi may mga lugar na nababaha rin minsan sa bayan ng Tagudin,” Alfaro said.
 

Meanwhile, Jordan Christopher Soria of Vigan City DRRM, said of all the WASAR training he previously attended, this is what he considered as “one of the life-changing experiences”.
 
“As a rescuer, we must be physically fit at iyon ang unang itinuturo sa amin para magawa natin nang maayos ang search and rescue operation natin and another is exposure to different elements such as open water. Iilan lang kasi ang individuals na nakaka-experience na mailagay sa open water and swim from there to the shore tapos different response techniques na itinuturo ng mga trainers namin from PCG. Tinuturo nila lahat ng pinakamahirap na dapat maranasan ng isang responder para in case na magamit man ay we would know how to adapt,” Soria said.
 
With this experience, he added that they plan to coordinate with the PCG to conduct this training as well at the CDRRMO level.
 

“Let me just invite other LGUs to conduct as well the same training modules to capacitate the responders and train them if in case na kailangan na mag-responde dapat laging handa ang mga responders to different kinds of natural and human-induced hazards,” he added.
 
The provincial government, through the PDRRMO, assures its constant support in strengthening the force of first responders in the province – from the provision of rescue tools, equipment, and vehicles to disaster response seminars and trainings.

The provincial government is one with the national DRRM council in ensuring the protection and welfare of the people during disasters or emergencies. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)