Volunteer group vow for zero drowning fatality

The Boracay Action Group has vowed to implement a zero casualty for drowning incidents in this resort island this year and in the years to come only if they could be provided a decent ambulance.

Commodore Leonard Tirol, representing the Philippine Coast Guard-Auxiliary, said that for this year already there were no reported drowning incident in this resort island. The achievement is caused by the fast pace response of the volunteers on drowning.

The BAG is a multi-sectoral organization here organized by the local government of Malay, Aklan for disaster management and response.

"Right now we are using a mini multi-cab as make shift ambulance. What we need is an ambulance that could be trusted enough for an immediate transport of the drowning victim," Tirol said Monday.

Report said that volunteer groups registered 17 drowning fatalities last year. Most of the victims were Koreans and Chinese tourists.

Tirol said that the local government of Malay had committed to provide them gasoline allowance for their transport and rescue.

It was learned that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office had donated an ambulance to the local government unit two months ago.

But the donated ambulance is now being used for health emergency of the local residents.

"We badly needed an ambulance for our operation," said Tirol.

Tirol recently received commendations from the Philippine National Police Headquarters for donating a lot to be used for the police tourism training facility in this resort island.