Sipalay City through its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office opened the National Disaster Resilience Month with the 1st Sipalay City Resiliency Expo on July 1, at the Mayor Rodrigo G. Chua Memorial Center.
The event started with a caravan participated in by different government agencies from the Poblacion Beach to Brgy. San Jose and finally at the Mayor Rodrigo G. Chua Memorial Center. To open the program, an invocation was performed by the GMMES Rondalla Ensemble.
City Mayor and CDRRMC chairperson Maria Gina Lizares gave her welcome remarks, and thanked all those responders and agencies who helped the city in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.
She added that the Filipinos, specifically the Sipalaynons, have always been resilient and adaptive in the midst of challenges and that we need to learn from the past and be proactive to be prepared for the future.
Lizares then declared the expo open, where everyone can visit the booths and see the different equipment and tools of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, Sipalay City Bureau of Fire Protection, CDRRMO, Philippine Coast Guard, Bantay Dagat, ABAP K9i, and Hepahaestus K9.
Present during the event was 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang, who was the guest of honor and speaker for the event.
In her speech, Alvarez-Lansang recalled how the aftermath of Typhoon Odette transpired in her district and how hard it was to reach the city of Sipalay days after the typhoon.
She also thanked all the responders for their gallant efforts in providing aid to those who are in need and to those who did not hesitate to help the people affected by the typhoon.
Sgt. Warren Salde, a reservist of the Philippine Army, shared his heroic efforts in saving numerous individuals during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. He said he hopes to inspire other responders like him to uphold their duties in the community.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office also awarded the different volunteer groups, agencies, companies, and individuals who selflessly gave their resources, time, and effort to help the city of Sipalay during and after Typhoon Odette.
A robbery hold-up simulation exercises (SIMEX) by the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 with the PNP and CDRRMO highlighted the event.*
