BONTOC – To enhance the search and rescue capability of the rescuers in Mountain Province, 56 personnel from the Provincial Government of Mountain Province, Philippine National Police (PNP) – Mountain Province, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Mountain Province, Red Cross – Mountain Province Chapter and representative from the different municipalities underwent a six- days training on Mountain Search and Rescue (MOSAR) here.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Anacleto B. Tangilag explained that the training aims to educate and enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants and even increase their level of awareness on rescue operations in mountainous terrains, inland water emergencies and other wilderness environment.

Further, the MOSAR training intents to boost the resourcefulness of the participants using indigenous materials that will help them improvise and maximize their existing resources in actual operation.

Tangilag said that the training is part of the preparation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) for any occurrence of disaster that may strike the province.

Tangilag added that trained personnel from the Office of Civil Defense – Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD- CAR), Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Disaster Response Task Group and BFP- Special Recue Unit (SRU) – Manila were tapped to train the participants.

Local Operations Officer V1 Marites Cariño of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Provincial Office in her message to the participants during the opening program stressed the importance of the training in saving lives. She added that the training is a learning opportunity for the participants to enhance their knowledge in search and rescue.

Further, she stated that the various training conducted by the Provincial Government proves that Mountain Province is worthy to be an awardee of the Seal of Disaster Preparedness.

On behalf of Governor Leonard G. Mayaen, Provincial Administrator Johny V. Lausan remarked that the MOSAR training has provided the participants with basic knowledge to be more efficient search team member as well as improve the effectiveness of the entire search and rescue efforts.

“Your commitment to this training means a lifetime commitment. Not only to yourself and to your family but to the entire province as a whole including areas outside whenever people need your help”, Lausan stated.

With this, he commended the participants for accepting the challenge of being “Heroes of Today” in saving lives

He also assured the continuous support of the Provincial Government of Mountain Province in disaster preparedness and management. “We work hand in hand for the protection of our people, we continue raising the banner of a Disaster Prepared Mountain Province”, Lausan ended.

The training was funded by the Provincial Government of Mountain Province through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.