LEGAZPI CITY – The Provincial Government of Albay and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) will sponsor the 1st national Rescue and Disaster Response Competition to be held on May 24-29, 2010 at Mayon Riviera, Lidong, Sto. Domingo, Albay.

        Romualdo Elvira Jr., the provincial coordinator, said in an interview that some 20-30 teams composed of 15 persons per team are expected to participate in the nationwide skills competition.

        He said the competition is open to rescue teams and firefighters from the government and private sector, except rescue teams from the Provincial Government of Albay.

        The team that wins the championship round will receive P300,000 cash prize plus a trophy; the prize winning team will get P200,000 plus trophy while the third prize winning team gets P100,000 plus a trophy.

        The participants are expected to participate in any of the three events: water rescue, collapsed building scenario, earthquake and fire scenario.

        The participating teams are advised to carry their equipment such as inflatable rubber boats with outboard motors and six paddles stretchers, life jackets, breathing apparatus tents, etc.

        A registration fee of P20, 000 will be charged each team. Registration of participants will be made on May 24 at the campsite. Each participant will have to undergo medical examination.

        Interested parties can download the event website at www.nationalrescuecompetition.com.

        A joint project of Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda, chairman of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PSCC) and Director Bernardo “Raffy” Alejandro IV of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the rescue and disaster response competition seeks to:

        1) Promote Albay as a venue for rescue and disaster response training exercise;

        2) Promote rescue and disaster response as an exercise to sharpen the skills of disaster coordinating councils, and

        3) Promote cooperation and sharing of experience and expertise among PDCCs and emergency team operation.