BARET CELEBRATES TRIUMPH IN GAWAD KALASAG 2016

 Datu Odin Sinsuat, MAGUINDANAO- The Bangsamoro Rescue Team (BARET), a Volunteer Group in Mindanao, steps another milestone of competence as it celebrates victory after winning 1st Place in the Best Volunteer Group Category during a recent awarding ceremonies of the regional winners in the “Search for Gawad Kalasag 2016” sponsored by the Office of Civil Defense-ARMM.

Aladdin B. Palanggalan, President and CEO of BARET, said during a gathering with partners on Saturday, 27 August 2016, that the team is elated after winning first place in the most coveted “Search for Gawad Kalasag 2016”.

“The feeling is surreal, and I must say this is the fruit of our endeavours. BARET is a uniform humanitarian volunteer organization composed of different individuals with skills on disaster management, emergency medical service/technician, vhf radio license operator, license nurses and other field of expertise. Thank you so much for this one of a kind recognition,” said Palanggalan.

Palanggalan said BARET was officially organized on 14 November 2013, when the call for mitigation and preparedness arises due to various natural and human induced disasters frequently experienced in the Bangsamoro homeland.

“Let me say this for once, BARET is not an exclusive organization for the Bangsamoro, instead it is an inclusive organization for any individuals, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity and even economic status, as long as they are sincere to share their skills and committed to take the risk to save others lives. We invite you to join us,” said Palanggalan.

Palanggalan said the team practices diversity policy statement. He said the men and women of the BARET are the core of capability. Their ability to attract, develop, retain and deploy a quality, diverse workforce is the key to the success of BARET.

“It must be a top priority for everyone. The strength of their differences and similarities shall be honed to create positive environment through consistent leadership, where all members of the BARET can achieve their potential and make their greatest contribution to accomplishing the mission. They should continuously strive for a workforce and promote an environment that places high values on individual dignity, respect and professional growth. Lastly, diversity in the workforce contributes measurably to creative thinking and innovation so critical to excellence. Each one must ensure that his/her actions conform to the spirit and intent of his policy, based on our core values of courage, honor, industry, loyalty and discipline,” said Palanggalan.

Further, the team’s primary mission is to save the greatest number of lives and minimize injuries to victims during emergency. Their mission is to gather more skilled individuals to share their expertise and serve the peoples in need in time of calamities and/or preparedness.

Palanggalan added the ultimate objective of the BARET is to be the best rescue team ever established in the Bangsamoro homeland.

“We would want to promote a culture of safety and resilience as continuing investment in educating and training to transform the thinking and practices of the people in the communities, establish monitoring and response teams during emergencies and/or disasters, forge linkages between and among local, national and international entities, and attain and maintain a rational and orderly balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection through sustainable use of resources, development, management and conservation of the Bangsamoro’s natural resources,” said Palanggalan.

Palanggalan said the team offers the following programs and services: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Food Security, Emergency Nutrition, Training Services, Youth Development and Humanitarian.

“Our Emergency Response Unit includes Medical Responders and the Search and Rescue or the SAR. For the SAR, it is composed of two (2) group, the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and the Water Search and Rescue (WASAR). USAR specializes rescue skills to locate trapped persons in collapsed structures and other entrapment due to natural disasters and collapsed trenches, using standard array of tools, equipment and supplies suitable for teams at Light, Medium and Heavy operational levels. WASAR on the other hand, specializes rescue skills on proper water entry, types of swimming, lifesaving, group survival, water evolution and knot tying,” said Palanggalan.

Meanwhile, Palanggalan said they also have Junior BARET Responders, where the youth members are involved in creative strategies which gives them the chance to gain the realization of their worth in the society. It further provides them with avenues of participation.

“Junior BARET programs may include activities in sports, socialization, skills training, and other forms of youth advancement and contribution to the community,” said Palanggalan.

Leo T. Alicias, Assistant Regional Director of OCD-ARMM, lauded the victory of the Bangsamoro Rescue Team.

“We sincerely congratulate BARET and the rest of winners in the 2016 Search for Gawad Kalasag. We hope to inspire and encourage more entries to participate in the next Calendar Year,” said Alicias.

(GILMHAR A. LAO, INFORMATION OFFICER OCD-ARMM /MINDANAO EXPOSE’)