By: Krizzia Mei C. Esperanza
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) CALABARZON has formalized its turnover of fiber glass rescue boat to Barangay Bambang, Los Baños, Laguna, in a virtual ceremony conducted on October 5, 2020.
Dr. Alexander R. Madrigal, Regional Director of DOST-CALABARZON, announced during the event that the turnover is one among the department’s many projects to provide technology for community development, including livelihood support, and assistance to bantay-dagat and other coastal activities, and in enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) initiatives in both barangay and municipal levels. He cited the department’s future project with Los Baños to upgrade solid waste management and treatment facilities in the municipality.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) IV-A Regional Director Olivia M. Luces recognized the efforts of the DOST-CALABARZON and its partners in optimizing available government resources to generate more equipment for rescue and other similar operations.
The technical reliability and design, earlier reviewed and approved by the OCD IV-A, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IV-A, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippine Coast Guard, and several fiber glass fabricators in the region, of the rescue boat were demonstrated in a short video featuring its testing in Los Baños, and San Mateo and Talisay, Rizal in 2011. The actual turnover on October 2, 2020 was also previewed during the event. Afterwards, Hon. Arlene P. Delos Santos, Barangay Captain of Bambang, delivered her acceptance message.
The event was also attended by the Provincial Science and Technology Directors of Laguna and Quezon, Engr. Samuel L. Caperiña and Ms. Maria Esperanza E. Jawili, Barangay Officials of Bambang (Sanggunian Members Concepcion DV. Lobos, Joselito C. Manzanares Sr., Lazaro S. Salac Jr., Rodrigo S. Galang, Marlyn K. Reyes, John Ace Christopher V. Alvarez, and Corazon S. Boston, SK Chairperson Vinz Carlo P. Pombo, and President Eric Inabangan of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council), Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer, Cynthia Quintana, and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Focal Officer, Allan Alvarez.Ms. Emelita P. Bagsit, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations of DOST-CALABARZON, expressed her gratitude towards the Barangay Bambang, as represented by its officials, for their trust and confidence to DOST-developed technology, during her closing remarks. She recognized the different collaborators in the development of the rescue boat. She added that while she does not hope for any crisis to come to pass, these contributions allow local government units to respond more efficiently to such emergencies.
