Aklan PDRRMC to stage Rescue Olympics

The Aklan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has slated July 25 this year for its Annual Rescue Olympics program.

Galo Ibardolaza, PDRRM office head, said Wednesday that the local Olympics will be participated by 17 municipal disaster risk reduction management offices and probably volunteer groups from Boracay Island.

This annual event is part of the highlight of the National Disaster Consciousness Month. The competition will be held at the ABL Sports Complex in Provincial Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan.

"Each of the rescue groups will face different tasks for us to determine who among them are the best rescue volunteers in the province," said Ibardolaza.

The Aklan Provincial Government is keen on the disaster management capability of the local volunteers as the province is anticipated to host the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) in 2015.

There will be stiff competition as Kalibo volunteers underwent full training on disaster management. Only the Kalibo town has a licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) personnel.

However, the hinterland town of Madalag is also a favored participant since it is reportedly an expert in first aid.

Volunteers coming from Malay and Boracay Island are expected to also render high performance on disaster management. They will be at the front line once Boracay Island will be officially considered host of the APEC.