Some of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-NIR team members in Bogo, Cebu.*BFP photo
The Negros Island Region (NIR) has deployed policemen, soldiers, firefighters, and local government teams to Cebu province to augment search and rescue (SAR) operations following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Tuesday night.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the death toll had risen to 72 with 294 injured as of Thursday, Oct. 2.
The initial deployment of 80 NIR policemen began on Wednesday. The contingent included 41 officers from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and 39 from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office.
Police Regional Office-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said the policemen will remain in Cebu for “an initial duration of one to two weeks to support search and rescue missions, evacuation efforts, and humanitarian operations.”
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-NIR also deployed a specialized 20-member rescue force, which includes four firefighters from Bacolod City.
Philippine Army and Philippine Coast Guard personnel from the NIR have also been sent to assist in the operations.
In a parallel effort, local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental are mobilizing their technical teams and aid.
Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), confirmed that the Talisay City Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) team was the first LGU unit deployed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Ploteña said only CSSR teams that are fully trained and equipped are being sent.
The PDRRMO and CSSR teams from the cities of Sagay, Sipalay, Bago, Cadiz, San Carlos, and Silay are currently on standby, awaiting deployment orders from the OCD, Ploteña said.
A Escalante City team traveled to Tabuelan, Cebu, on Thursday to deliver potable water and rice, along with a water tanker and a mobile kitchen, she said.
Sagay City will lend its Aquacube water purification system to Bogo, Cebu, Ploteña added.
Negros Occidental LGU teams continue to remain on standby to assist in other earthquake-hit areas as directed by the Office of Civil Defense.
Negros Occidental, Bacolod City and other LGUs are also sending financial aid.*