CAMP General Alejo S Santos, City of Malolos — Following the devastation brought about by “Karding” – the third super typhoon that hit the country this year, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (Bul PPO) actively performed its duties to protect civilians from the worst possible effect.
Twenty-two (22) personnel were assigned to monitor the situation even before the storm made landfall, according to Col. Relly Arnedo, OIC, Bul PPO. They were among the 291 contingent troops who were assigned to the Reserved Standby Support Force (RSSF) and Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR), all of whom were ready for any damage the typhoon could bring.
Around the province, 7,256 persons from 2157 families were evacuated. Five (5) relief initiatives were launched to assist flood victims in the towns of Angat, Obando, San Ildefonso, and San Miguel. The towns of San Miguel, Marilao, Meycauayan, Obando, and Paombong, Pulilan were affected by the flood. Fifty-three (53) barangays in the municipalities of Bustos, Obando, Paombong, San Miguel, and San Rafael have lost electricity. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) of Bulacan announced the deaths of five (5) of its personnel. However, the heroic value of rescuing lives to the best of one’s ability will not be compromised by the unfortunate number of casualties.
Bulacan PPO started preparing for Typhoon Karding even before the first raindrops fell. Disaster response and preparedness have long been part of the PNP’s everyday activities. As part of the preparations, there was continual contact with the Brgy. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRMC) to ensure that everyone understood how to react in the event of a natural disaster. In addition, the availability of emergency equipment such as life jackets, hand-held radios, rubber boats, mobile vehicles, megaphones, and other supplies was routinely monitored.
I applaud the dedication of everyone in the organization as well as the members of the Bulacan PDRRMO rescue squad who gave their lives to fulfill their commitment to truly serve the people, particularly during the most trying circumstances, says Arnedo.
