Floods test new disaster response unit of Comval

THE spate of flooding which hit Compostela Valley Province has has put to test the capabilities of its fledgling emergency response team.
The newly-formed Emergency Response Team which just completed its Water Search and Rescue  (WASAR) Training was deployed during the December 16 flooding in the municipality of Compostela.
PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration) hoisted Storm Signal no. 2 in the provinces of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Sendong.
Heavy rains brought about by the storms brought flooding in several areas across Compostela Valley particularly the municipality of Compostela, which trapped several families. Using the three provincial government’s rescue boats the already mobilized rescue team saved about 100 families during flashfloods that inundated Purok 13 Centennial in Compostela town.
Also last December 27, the team rescued 33 families also in another flood that struck Compostela Town. Another 40 families were also rescued in Montevista.
The ERT was formed by Governor Arturo T. Uy as a quick response mechanism during disasters and calamities particularly flashfloods and landslides which regularly occur in the province.
The team is composed of selected employees of the provincial capitol and are trained in Medical First Responder (MFR), WASAR and Mountain Search and Rescue. [PIA RG ALAMA/IDS COMVAL GILBERT CABAHUG]