Philippine Navy conducts Water Search & Rescue Drill
LINGAYEN–“The performance of the Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Team was well prepared and they can be expected to perform even better during the actual operation.”
Thus said Commodore Nodolfo Tejada, commander of the Philippine Naval Forces Northern Luzon during the Water Search and Rescue simulation drill by the Philippine Navy last April 29 at the beachfront here.
Tejada said the search and rescue drill as part of the Pista’y Dayat 2013 celebration aimed to promote the awareness of conducting disaster response in times of calamities.
The activity was also in line with the province’s disaster preparedness advocacy, Pangasinan, being a coastal area, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
The drill participants are all reservists or civilians who have volunteered to become part of the navy to be able to help the response teams in rescue operations during disasters or calamities.
As an added feature, the Philippine Navy brought to Lingayen Gulf the PN warship which was opened to public viewing from April 29 until May 2.
Tejada said the warship acquired last year from the United States Coastguard is used to patrol the West Philippine Sea including the Northern Luzon area.
During the open house, the visitors were given a tours to the various quarters of the warship called Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Gregorio del Pilar where they got a glimpse of how the ship functions.
“This is the first time that the warship was deployed for public viewing,” Tejada said as he disclosed that the move aims to promote the naval presence of the Philippine Navy.
“The newly acquired ship contains all modern equipment, communication, and weapon system,” Tejada added.
The BRP Gregorio del Pilar was positioned at the Lingayen Gulf two nautical miles from the shore which is equivalent to 3.2 kilometers.
The viewers were transported to the warship by a rubber boat and were assisted by tour guides to ensure safety. (PIO/Angeline D. Villanueva)
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