Philippine Daily Inquirer Digital Edition

Bulacan honors 5 rescuers who died helping ‘Karding’ victims

—CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE

CITY OF MALOLOS—Officials and residents of Bulacan province on Friday honored the five rescuers who died while on a mission to save San Miguel town residents from a flash flood during the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Karding” (international name: Noru) on Sept. 26.

Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo and Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. joined Gov. Daniel Fernando and provincial employees at the event dubbed “Luksang Parangal.”

Fernando said the two officials extended the sympathy and assistance of President Marcos to the families of Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office’s fallen rescuers: Narciso Calayag Jr., 33, from City of Malolos; Troy Justin Agustin, 30, from Guiguinto town; George Agustin, 45, from Calumpit town; Marby Bartolome, 37, from City of Malolos; and Jerson Resureccion, 33, from Sta. Maria town.

Abalos said there were not enough words of praises for the heroic actions of the five rescuers.

“Walang maitutumbas na papuri at parangal ang maipapalit sa inialay na buhay nitong mga rescuers para lang makapaglingkod sa bayan (There are not enough praises or awards for the rescuers who gave up their lives in the name of public service),” he said.

Magna carta

Abalos reiterated the incident should now compel the government to pursue the creation of a magna carta for rescue workers to ensure they receive the salaries, benefits and training that they deserve.

Fernando and Vice Gov. Alex Castro led Bulacan officials, private organizations and civic groups in the necrological honors dubbed as “Salamat at Paalam ... Bayaning Tagapagligtas! Luksang Parangal para sa mga Yumaong Lingkod Bayan (Thank you and Farewell ... Heroic Rescuers! A Necrological Service for the Departed Public Servants)” for the five rescuers held at the Capitol Gymnasium.

Protect the environment

Before the necrological service, a water salute rendered by local firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection welcomed the rescuers’ remains to the Capitol grounds.

After the event, the remains of the rescuers were returned to the different chapels here where their families held their wakes.

In his speech, Fernando called on everyone to help protect the environment even as he vowed to continue the province’s policy to stop all forms of mining and quarry operations and protect the mountains of Bulacan.

He said the five rescuers, who drowned at the height of the raging flash flood that inundated San Miguel town, died as a result of destructive practices that hurt the environment like illegal logging, mining and quarrying.

“I call on everyone to stop destroying our natural wealth,” adding that the sacrifice made by the five rescuers should not be wasted.

“Thank you very much brothers. The heroic deeds you have showed will forever remain in our hearts and minds and that they may serve to awaken the people who choose to ignore our call to stop destroying our environment,” Fernando added.

The five rescuers died while on board a rubber boat battling the more than 10-foot raging flood waters in Sitio Gilas, Barangay Camias, San Miguel on Sept. 26 after the town was pounded by heavy rains and winds brought by Karding.

San Miguel Mayor Roderick Tiongson said denuded forests at the Sierra Madre mountain ranges aggravated the flash floods.

The town is now under a state of calamity after 46 of its 49 barangays were inundated by flood water.

Financial aid

The provincial government shouldered the funeral expenses of the five rescuers, on top of the financial assistance received by their families, including the P300,000 in personal aid that Fernando handed to each of their families, and another P50,000 for each family from the Bulacan chapter of the League of Municipalities led by Bocaue Mayor Eduardo Villanueva Jr.

Among the private organizations and individuals who gave financial support to the families of the rescuers was Filipino-Chinese philanthropist Wilfredo Keng, chairperson of the Century Peak Holdings Corp., who donated P200,000 to each family.

Fernando said Alejandro Tengco, chair of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., also gave P100,000 cash to each of the families.

Castro said the provincial board will pass a resolution honoring the fallen rescuers by, among others, providing for an education fund for the children they left behind.

REGIONS

en-ph

2022-10-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-10-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://philippinedailyinquirerplus.pressreader.com/article/281758453172289

Philippine Daily Inquirer