BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
A group of professionals coming from various sectors have banded together to render volunteer services to help save lives under a group called BacWatch Inc.-Emergency Response Team.
BacWatch chairman Francis Gargoles said they have formed the group to render trauma and medical emergency services with the high number of extractions, especially during this pandemic, because of their passion to save lives in Bacolod City and neighboring cities and municipalities.
Gargoles said their core group includes members of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and other institutions, like the Philippine National Red Cross.
It is the Patrol 911 under the Bacolod City Risk Reduction Management Office that will dispatch to them emergency cases, Gargoles, a certified trainer of the PNRC, said.
BacWatch vice chairman Leanna Lopez-Liongson said members of the core group, composed of 15 to 20, are already trained in their respective fields.
The most important requirement to join the group is having a good heart and the willingness to render volunteer services, she said.
BacWatch member JR Gumabon said they will also schedule a training-seminar for prospective new members, who want to join. The more people who have the heart to help, the better especially in this time of the pandemic.
BacWatch is a non-stock, non-profit volunteer organization that aims to provide emergency medical response similar to PNRC, Amity and Chamber Volunteer, he said, adding that they also plan to secure an ambulance and create an ambulance-tricycle that could penetrate small barangays.
Liongson said the organization started just recently when Gumabon and Silay Councilor Lorenzo Locsin saw that it was time to formalize the group after an initial meeting with her and Gargoles.
Gumabon said the group will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the local government to have legal existence.
They will also forge formal partnership with the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection , Department of Health, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, and other NGOs through a memorandum of agreement, he said.
BacWatch is also composed of Ace Catacutan – corporate secretary, and members Dr. Peewee Magalona, Denny Chua, Juan Miguel Jalandoni, Jadd Gonzales, Ardie Ong, and Nea Quiatchon.
Those interested to join may contact the group through their Facebook page BacWatch Inc. or email BacWatch6100@gmail.com.*
