PRESS RELEASE
July 29, 2008


WATER SEARCH & RESCUE (WASAR) DRILL TO BE CONDUCTED

The Bacolod City Disaster Coordinating Council in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard-Bacolod Station and Bacolod City Federation of Rescue Organizations (BaCFRO) will conduct WASAR drill today, July 30, 2008 at the shoreline of BREDCO Port 1, Reclamation Area, 9:00 am.

Memorandum Order No. 11 Series of 2008 dated June 23, 2008 issued by the Office of National Defense-National Disaster Coordinating Council calls all Local Government Units to undertake the Conduct of Water Search & Rescue (WASAR) Capability Demonstrations as part of the activities during the observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month Celebration.

In 2007, the NDCC launched a nationwide Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Training to upgrade the local government units’ capability in the aftermath of massive loss of lives due to drowning during TY “Milenyo”, and the need to further pursue and sustain the gains of the NDCC Four Point Plan of Action on Disaster Preparedness, hence, the conduct of this year’s simultaneous WASAR Capability Demonstration.

The Honorable City Mayor Bing Leonardia, Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson, SP Member Bobby Rojas-Chairman of the Committee on Fire, Natural Disaster and Calamity, PRO6 Regional Director and RDCC Chairman Isagani Cuevas among other government officials will be present to grace the activity.*bbm/psems