ILOILO CITY, April 25 (PNA) -– Iloilo Vice Governor Raul C. Tupas thanked the chiefs of police (COPs) and their personnel and the health officers for their services during the height of super typhoon “Yolanda”.
“Today is the celebration of commitment and responsibility,” Tupas said Friday.
The vice governor led the distribution of certificates of recognition to the police and health officers at the capitol lobby during the Education Forum on Natural Hazards and Recognition Program.
He said that the provincial government greatly appreciates their selfless services to rescue and provide assistance to the typhoon-affected families in the province.
“You have greatly helped the provincial government during the time when your services were needed most,” Tupas told the honorees.
He said that the impact of the typhoon to Ilonggo residents was cushioned because the COPs were on hand to give proper directions to the people.
Iloilo Provincial Police Office Director Cornelio Salinas who worked closely with the Vice Governor – who was the OIC-Governor when “Yolanda” struck – ordered the COPs to implement forced evacuation on families that are living along riverbanks and in flood prone areas, resulting in many lives saved.
PDRRMC executive officer Jerry Bionat, in an interview, said that because of the many volunteers who have responded and helped in the rescue operations during the height of “Yolanda” November 8 of last year, they are giving the recognition by batches to COPs and health officers.
First to be recognized last April 10 were the various response teams composed of around 300 volunteers. On the second week of May, the different media organizations in Iloilo will also be recognized along with the Philippines News Agency. (PNA)
LAP/AJPETINGLAY/VLO