President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the heroism of the five rescuers who died while responding to flood-hit villages in San Miguel, Bulacan at the height of Typhoon Karding.
“I am deeply saddened to hear that we lost five good men to Typhoon Karding yesterday. Our prayers go to the families of George Agustin, Troy Justin Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Narciso Calayag Jr., and Jerson Ressurreccion,” he said In a Twitter post.
“Their courage and bravery will live on in our memory,” Mr. Marcos added.
At the Senate, three resolutions were filed by Senators Robin Padilla, Lito Lapid and Joel Villanueva honoring the rescuers.
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher Go reaffirmed that he will push for legislative interventions to improve the social protection of all government employees risking their lives to save others, no matter what their status of employment is.
He then acknowledged the sacrifices being made by first responders or front-liners during calamities and crises, saying that granting them what is due to them is the least that the government can do to compensate them properly for all of their hard work, especially during these challenging times.
In Senate Resolution 234, Padilla lauded the heroism of the five members of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
“Whereas, the heroism and bravery shown by these five men, who sacrificed their lives to save their people, is an exemplary act worthy of praise and emulation and more importantly, an embodiment of dedication, courage, devotion to duty and commitment to public service,” Padilla said in his resolution.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, as it is hereby resolved, to express profound condolences to the bereaved families of and to posthumously accord highest commendation to Narciso Calayag, Jerson Resurreccion, Marvy Bartolome, George Agustin and Troy Justin Agustin who perished while performing their heroic and solemn duties in the rescue operations at the height of Super Typhoon Karding,” he added.
Under Senate Resolution No. 235, which he filed Sept. 27, Lapid recognized the fatalities from the Bulacan PDRRMO which included George Agustin, Troy Justin Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Jerson Resurreccion, and Narciso Calayag Jr.
“The ultimate sacrifice of the five PDRRMC personnel in service of their people merit the admiration, respect and gratitude not only of the persons they have saved but of the entire country as well,” Lapid said.
The five were helping residents of Sitio Galas in Barangay Camias in San Miguel, Bulacan evacuate their homes amid flooding caused by Karding. Reports said the five died after a surge of floodwater caused a concrete wall to collapse and brought strong water current that swept away the team aboard a lifeboat.
The remains of the five were retrieved at Sitio Banga-Banga in Barangay Camias.