DAGUPAN CITY – Personnel of the local government attended a two-day Earthquake and Landslide Search and Rescue Orientation Course (ELSAROC) given by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on March 13 and 14 that prepared them for the “Big One”.
Those who underwent the course were from the City Health Office, City Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection-Dagupan and the Dagupan Police.
The first day of the seminar tackled search and rescue operations within collapsed structures as well as extrication and care for victims.
The second day taught the participants on practical simulation and rescue operations exercises like hailing, lifting, and victim extrication and stabilization, among others.
The MMDA condensed the eight-day course in just two days to speed up information dissemination in places that may be affected by the “Big One”.
“We shortened the course in 2005 so we can cascade quickly to communities in Manila and other provinces,” Luther Casuera, head of the Rescue Battalion Headquarters and Disaster Preparedness Training Center of the MMDA, said.
“Everything that the responder needs to know is taught on the first day, and the rest of the days are spent for practical exercises,”he said.
Dr. Maria Rosarita Siasoco of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines Cares (PHAPCares) recalled that Dagupan was one of the most devastated cities during the July 1990 Luzon Earthquake, as she seeks to inform the younger generation on the effects of the devastation that occurred before their birth.
The former Department of Health official and MMDA head also plans to host a flood and water rescue orientation course in Dagupan in the coming months.
“We often bring the earthquake simulator so the children will get a feel of what the different intensities are like,” Siasoco said. “We really wanted to bring it (simulator) here but it was too bulky. We are requesting MMDA to bring it next time when we return for the flood and water rescue course.” (Zarena Amado/CIO)