Abra, Philippines – Twenty-three personnel from the Bureau of Fire and Protection - Kalinga and two from PDRRMC were sent to Abra recently to augment manpower support and assist the victims of the quake that destroyed houses, leaving at least 10 dead and many injured.
The team is the first batch to be deployed in said province.
In the aftermath of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in the province, Abra was placed under a state of calamity on July 27.
As of August 2, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Abra said the earthquake damaged P1.266 billion worth of major infrastructure and agriculture.
Deployment of BFP Kalinga in Bangued, Abra
In an interview with Fire Officer III Tracy Guiang, it was said the personnel were deployed in Bangued, Abra, on July 28, just a day after the tremor.
Relaying the effects of the devastating earthquake they witnessed, Guiang said some families in the municipality were left homeless while others whose houses were partially damaged are trying to find means to have them repaired. Some establishments, she added, had collapsed.
Tasks of deployed personnel
22 of the deployed personnel from BFP Kalinga are on field, helping in the conduct of relief operation and area inspection. Additionally, they administer clearing operations, unload food packs that will be delivered to the affected families, and retrieve properties.
Meanwhile, the 3 other personnel serve in the public assistance and incident command post. They are assigned to log the number of damaged houses and residents who need help in retrieving their properties, clearing their area, or demolishing their houses.
Reports they make are submitted to a special rescue team having complete equipment to perform the operations needed.
Residents reminded not to go back to their homes yet
The BFP team reminded the residents in Abra to stay away from their houses as aftershocks are still being felt, causing ground shaking that may result in possible accidents.
“Nu haan pay lang nga na-assess iti engineers, architect dagiti babalay da or dagiti government offices ket haan da pay lang kuma serreken ta very risky, kasi diyay garud adda pay laeng ti aftershocks na,” reiterated Guiang.
First Batch of BFP Kalinga heads back home
On Friday, August 05, the first batch of BFP Kalinga is set to head back home as another batch comprising 20 BFP personnel has been sent by the Kalinga provincial government to take over the task.
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