Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Eastern Police District (EPD) on Monday launched its first ever Disaster Response Team (DRT) in its headquarters in Pasig City on Monday.
The project was initiated by the office of the Chief District Directorial Staff headed by Col. Orlando Yebra which was conceptualized in relation to the LOI “Saklolo Revised”, or the PNP Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, and shall be undertaken by the selected men and women of EPD during and after the occurrence of a disaster/calamity.
EPD director, Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan, in his speech, urged everyone to support this endeavor which was enabled to expand the EPD’s capacity-building efforts and emergency assistance in support of the Peace and Order Council (POC) and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (DRRMC) in its level of jurisdiction.
“This is only one example of how Eastern Police District has its community-level efforts for disaster responses can make a difference. And I believe the people behind this are the key partners and can play a crucial role to save people’s lives in the Metro-East community. Let us hope that this project can save more lives and a good way to start a life with hope.” Bathan noted.
After the traditional Monday flag raising, the EPD-DRT introduced and demonstrated basic skills needed in the conduct of medical response and rescue operations as being the forefront of crisis situations at Metro-East.
Moreover, the functions of the EPD Disaster Response Team is composed of Response Team Leader, Operations, Intelligence, Logistics, Communications and Administration. Likewise, the project acquired complete training equipment for First Aid (five days), Basic Life Support (4 days), rope and knot tying, boat handling, spine boarding and mass casualty incidents which are necessary in performing rescue operations.
The EPD covers the cities of San Juan, Marikina, Mandaluyong and Pasig.
