The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO), officially kicked off the Rescue MARCH: Camarines Sur 4th District Challenge 2025 on July 23, 2025, at Lagonoy, Camarines Sur.
Hosted by the Local Government Units in Partido District, 52 participating teams from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), various Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices/Councils (MDRRMOs/Cs), government agencies, and rescue volunteer groups joined the challenge, performing an 18.9-km distance Mogadishu Walk from Lagonoy to San Jose, culminating in Goa, setting a record for the farthest Rescue MARCH in CamSur.
The Rescue MARCH or Mass Assembly for Rescue and Care for Humanity served as a simulation exercise aimed at preparing and uniting all responders under conditions replicating a worst-case scenario, where transportation is impossible due to collapsed infrastructures. Responders relied solely on their own strength and stamina, equipment, essential gear, and medical supplies as they walked the route.
Auxiliary Captain Raul Agrade, PCGA, Director of the 907 Coast Guard Auxiliary Squadron, conveyed his appreciation and sense of accomplishment for participating in the Rescue MARCH for the first time at his age, despite the weather phenomenon.
“Magayon po an objective kaini. Mahihiling po na digdi nae-enhance an skills, an stamina, kun hanggang sain kayang mag-respond kan mga agencies sa Camarines Sur sa anumang incident. Biruon mo, sa distance kan nilakaw mi, at my age, at least nakaya ko pa,” he said.
“Habang may Rescue MARCH, we will join. Dakulang bagay po ini ta at least every year po, napa-practice ang skills mi. Then, siguro sa mga next Rescue MARCH, kadakol pang mga challenges an masasabat mi and kadakol pang ideya and rescue approaches ang manunudan mi,” added Agrade. He also emphasized that when “The Big One” strikes the Philippines, they are trained and ready as volunteers to support the directives of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Meanwhile, Glenn Mark Lanozo, Rescue MARCH Board of Directors, WISAR Philippines-Executive Vice President, and Research and Planning Staff from Valenzuela City DRRMO, believed that no local government units are as prepared as they are when “The Big One” occurs. Hence, it is important for responders to be prepared for possible major disasters.
“Wala tayong masasabing pinakahandang LGU dahil pag sinabi nating handa, baka ‘yun na ‘yung time na tayo ay titigil. So, kailangan isipin natin palagi na kulang pa rin ‘yung training, kulang pa rin ‘yung gamit dahil in fact, tayo ay three years straight na number one sa World Risk Index. So, kailangan talagang maging handa po tayo palagi,” he noted.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Provincial Government headed by Governor Lray Villafuerte for consistently embracing and sustaining this advocacy for disaster preparedness and resilience.
“Kami’y nagpapasalamat sa team Rescue MARCH [ng CamSur] dahil ito po ay pang-apat n’yo na and patuloy n’yo pong niyayakap ang adbokasiya ng Rescue MARCH dahil talagang naca-capacitate ‘yung ating mga responders at ang ating government units. Sana po ay magpatuloy itong partnership natin dahil napakaganda nito at nakikita natin dito ang pagkakaisa ng bawat volunteers regardless of their group, or kung anumang grupo ‘yung nire-represent nila, talagang nagkakaisa ang bawat isa,” furthered Lanozo.
Alongside Rescue MARCH, other activities that will further capacitate responders in line with the National Disaster Resilience Month celebration include, Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) challenge and workshop on Fire and Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Response Protocol.
By next year, the Rescue MARCH Challenge will be hosted by the 3rd District of Camarines Sur, setting another remarkable advocacy for disaster risk reduction and management.
