Army gets rescue equipment

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 21): Army gets rescue equipment

The Dumaguete City government turned over rescue equipment, worth P200,000, to the 79 th Infantry “Masaligan” Battalion of the Philippine Army, based in Negros Oriental, during the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall yesterday.

City Administrator William Ablong led the turnover, and Lt. Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, 79th IB commander, accompanied by some soldiers, received the donation, including three transistor radios, three megaphones, 30 aluminum carabiners, three small chainsaws, one tandem pulley, utility ropes of 700 meters each, six flashlight heavy duty water proofing, 30 hard hats and 30 life vests, among others, Syril Repe of the City Information Office said.

Pascua thanked the city for the donation, adding these will be a big help to soldiers during disaster operations.

He added the donation is a “manifestation of a strong partnership between the Philippine Army and the citizenry in looking after the safety, security and upliftment of living conditions of the people we are bound to serve.”

Ablong said the City Peace and Order Management Council allocated the budget for the procurement of rescue equipment for the Army battalion, that plays a significant role during disasters and other emergencies.

Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria does not hesitate in extending assistance in whatever form to law enforcement and similarly-natured responsibilities to provide basic services to the residents of Dumaguete, Ablong added.

Pascua assured the 79th IB will immediately deploy a platoon to Dumaguete City during disasters and calamities. In past years, soldiers had played a significant role in disaster response, particularly during the onslaught of typhoons Sendong and Pablo, flooding incidents and other emergencies.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/July/21/negor1.htm