BMC and Basic First Aid Training for Team Palaka conducted

New outdoor group Team Palaka of Barangay Coronon, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur has received a Basic Mountaineering Course and Training on Basic First Aid last February 8-10, 2013. The training was held at Bay Coronon Resort and was facilitated by the Local Government of Sta. Cruz Adventure Club (LOGSAC), Sta. Cruz Active Volunteers for Emergency and Rescue Services (SAVERS), the Municipal Tourism Office and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office (MDRRMO).

Basic Mountaineering Course 101 as explained by this blogger

The trainings aimed to respond to the call of the Department of Tourism to promote responsible mountaineering practices especially in Mt. Apo trekking. Likewise, it is expected that the said trainings will help boost disaster management as more and more well-trained rescuers will be made available during disasters and emergencies. Team Palaka is the latest addition to the pool of rescue groups in the municipality of Sta. Cruz.

SAVERS President Lito Roque spearheads in Basic First Aid and Rescue Training

Team Palaka is composed of local youth workers, students and out-of-school youths who share the same passion of doing outdoor adventure activities. It exists for more than one year. Its president, Johnville Tragico, said they are very thankful for the opportunity given to them especially with such similar trainings. He further said to really take the group into a higher level through attending more trainings particularly on rescue procedures.

Actual Demo on Basic Ropemasnhip

The training had three major components namely: Basic Mountaineering Course 101 (Climb Organization, Group Formation, Trail Signals, Pacing, Trekking Techniques, River Crossing, Trail Signs, Trail Etiquette, Mountaineering Gears and Equipment and Leave No Trace Outdoor Principle), Basic First Aid and Rescue Procedures (which also included Basic Ropemanship) and Workshop on High Angle Rescue System. The workshop was conducted in Sibulan River, Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur on February 10.

The three-day training was fully supported by the Local Government of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur with assistance coming from Bay Coronon Resort through its very amiable owner Ate Dina Vicariato. Special thanks is also extended to Ms. Jhenie Dagondon, Mitz Manuel, aspiring LOGSAC Hector John Bacaling and Rechovielle Bacaling of University of Mindanao.

Experts from LOGSAC and SAVERS who were part of the group of trainers were Lito Roque, Michael Gapula, Henry Gapula, Julius Biala, Danrev Broñola, John Jay Cuizon, Romulo Birondo, Jonas Florencondia, Hardi Joy Desuyo, Jose Sabandal and Dancel Birondo.