A resolution commending the heroic deeds of first responders at the height of the recent typhoons was filed in the House of Representatives.
Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar’s House Resolution 1354 urges Congress to express its “collective support and commendation to the men and women in uniform, local government units, nongovernment organizations and other private organizations and individuals for their valiant efforts in helping our countrymen in the rescue and relief operations during the recent typhoons that hit the Philippines.”
Villar said these responders, especially those who died while rescuing victims of typhoons, have shown the spirit of bayanihan by selflessly puttin themselves in harm’s way.
In her resolution, Villar stressed that despite limitations in water and air assets and sophisticated equipment side-by-side with the magnitude of damage and hundreds of thousands of people affected,” emergency workers, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard, as well as civilian authorities, national agencies and local government units have taken active roles during calamities, and it is most appropriate to give them commendation and recognition…”
The Philippines is located in the tropical cyclone area and is visited by about 20 typhoons every year.
The world’s strongest typhoon this year, Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni), slammed the already storm-battered Bicol region, while Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) caused record flooding in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.
“Our men in uniform showed heroic deeds amid the challenges and obvious high risk to their lives in rescuing families in their houses at the height of the onslaught of the past typhoons,” Villar said.
Local government units were at the forefront in rescue and relief efforts despite lack of funds and they need all the assistance they can get as they have already stretched their resources on the back of the response to the pandemic and back-to-back calamities, Villar pointed out.
Villar likewise said the “active participation, assistance and support” of the Philippine Red Cross, non government organizations, international humanitarian missions, and private individuals are “immeasurable and must be recognized accordingly.”
