Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Camille Villar introduced a resolution honoring and commending heroic first responders who live the legacy of Bayanihan and selflessly put themselves in harm’s way during the height of the recent typhoons.
Filed on Tuesday, Nov. 17 as House Resolution No. 1354, Villar wants the chamber 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.”
“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 to the cause for humanity,” Villar said in filing the resolution.
The Philippines is located along the most destructive 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 battered Bicol region from recent typhoons, while Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) caused record floodings 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,” said Villar.
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 noted 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.”
