Philippine Navy Trains Reservists on Disaster Response & Mitigation

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 8 -- A total of 150 naval reservists successfully completed the five-day training program on disaster response and mitigation cum humanitarian mission, sponsored by the Philippine Navy (PN) Naval Forces Southern Luzon.

The training program, dubbed as "Exercise Pagsasama ", commenced Monday until Oct. 5, this year at the PN-NAVFORSOL headquarters in Barangay Rawis, this city.

Lt. Darwin Nieva, PN Southern Luzon spokesman, said the program educated and equipped college students on disaster emergency assistance and rescue training.

Nieva said that as part of the program, last Sunday, some 699 residents of Barangay Bigaa this city were provided free medical and dental services, while a total of 211 patients benefited from ophthalmology services and each received a pair of eyeglasses.

The same contingents also conducted a humanitarian mission in Barangay Arimbay, also in this city, offering free medical and dental services and medicines to the residents.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, lauded the Philippine Navy in initiating the program designed to train the youth in disaster response and rendering humanitarian works in times of disasters.

Commodore Joel Babas, PN-NAVFORSOL commanding officer, said the training exercise would be a start of a regular program of the naval forces in educating the youth concerning the role of the youth in times of disaster.

Babas said that aside from the training program, the participants who completed the training program will be recruited as a member of the Naval Network in Disaster Operation.

Nieva, meanwhile, said the "Exercise Pagsasama", as part of its humanitarian mission repaired two barangay halls and a daycare center here and in the neighboring Daraga town.

Repair and rehabilitation works were done at the Market site barangay hall and the Maroroy Daycare Center all in Daraga, and the Barangay Bigaa Multi Purpose Hall, in this city.

Nieva said the repaired village facilities were turned over to the concerned local government unit at the program's closing ceremonies. (PNA)