EFFORTS by dedicated firefighters during the three deadly disasters that struck Cebu province weeks back did not go unnoticed.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) national leadership has recognized all the hardships every fireman had to endure while responding to a call of duty no matter how risky it was.
BFP chief F/Director Jesus Fernandez personally took the center stage in a simple but emotional awarding ceremony to honor the entire Region 7 command under the supervision of Chief Supt. Fred Trajeras.
Fernandez was referring to the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit northern Cebu, the flooding in Liloan spawned by Typhoon Tino, and the Binaliw landfill collapse.
All three tragedies claimed dozens of lives.
The Bogo earthquake killed at least 79 people and injured 1,271 individuals while the Liloan flooding claimed 35 lives and the Binaliw landslide left 36 people dead and eight others wounded.
In his speech, Fernandez praised the brave men and women of BFP-Cebu for their professionalism and dedication unmindful of the danger and risks they had to go through.
“You have displayed a high conduct of professionalism, your response in those disasters. . . tinakpan ninyo ‘yung issues and allegations that have been bombarding the BFP. Instead, we face the challenges by responding (professionally) . . . and it is here in Region 7 that the professional dignity of all firefighters are shown,” he said.
Fernandez said that in during those calls for help, the BFP was always “the first to answer and the last to leave.”
“So, job well done, our snappy heroes, return to your stations with heads up high.
During the event, personnel were honored with the morale-boosting “Medalya ng Pagtulong.”
A separate “Medalya ng Kagalingan” was also handed respectively to Cebu City District Fire Marshal Supt. Tito Purgatoryo and 169 of his men, along with Lapu- Lapu City District Fire Marshal Supt. Arnel Abella and 32 others.
Trajeras promised that the landslide, the flooding, as well as the earthquake, were just challenges that tested every personnel’s worth and professionalism.
“The glory of the organization will remain to be firm, steadfast and more dedicated to deliver our services to the entire province,” he stressed.
“This ceremony is both a thanksgiving and a tribute – a recognition of teamwork forged under pressure along with a leadership tested by crisis and service rendered with honor,” he added.
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