TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- In line with the observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month, the provincial government of Surigao del Sur headed by Governor Alexander T. Pimentel, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) holds the 2023 Rescuers Summit and Rescue Group Exercise from July 25 to 28, 2023 in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. 

Anchored on its theme, “BIDAng Pilipino: Building Stronger Filipino Well Being Towards Disaster Resilience, the activity aims to foster camaraderie among the responders by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and attitude towards disaster, and to establish coordination, command, and control as they work together towards resiliency during disaster and emergency.

A Holy Mass was conducted today, July 26 at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Old Cathedral in Tandag City, which was followed by a foot parade heading to Surigao del Sur Sports Complex, Tandag City, for the opening program. It was joined by the local DRRM officers and the provincial/ city /municipal Search and Emergency Response Team of Surigao del Sur (SERTSS).

At the same time, the Skills Competition-Situational Analysis and Firefighting are conducted at the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex.

On July 27, the Rescue Group Exercise - Maritime incident will happen at the Playa shoreline Beach in Tandag City, while the Rescue Group Exercise - Mass Casualty incident will take place at Vicente L. Pimentel Sr. Boulevard in Tandag City. A team building and a solidarity night will come after the simultaneous activities at EDM covered court.

Meanwhile, the first Rescuers Summit and Rescue Group Exercise was held in Tandag City in 2014. In 2015, it was in Bislig City; then in Lanuza in 2016; 2017 in Tandag City, 2018 in Cantilan, and the last conduct was in 2019 in Tagbina. The annual activity was put on hold in 2020-2022 due to the pandemic brought about by COVID-19. (Grace P. Barcena/PIA-Surigao del Sur)