The Department of Health-Mimaropa has concluded its 8th batch of Water Search and Rescue training in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
The five-day program, which ran from April 24 to 28 in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard, produced 43 successfully trained water attendants.
“If there is a trained water personnel in the area, accidents could be avoided. This is the reason why we need to prepare and teach all water personnel on water search and rescue for them to be able to prevent water accidents such as drowning,” Health Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said.
Janairo said a survey in areas where there are WASAR-trained personnel showed that there have been no cases of drowning or other water incidents.
“Proper knowledge and the ability to provide immediate emergency response must be properly taught for them to have a better perception on how to manage a possible victim prior to and upon arrival of the health response team,” he said.
Since the start of the “Health in Tourism Program” in 2015, the regional DoH office has already trained a total of 205 WASAR water personnel in Palawan.
The target is to have at least 500 aquatic personnel in the whole region.
“The objective is to ensure safety of the public who frequents resorts and beaches,” Janairo said.