City trains reserve Army force for quick emergency response

By Marcelo M. Pedalino

Monday 5th of March 2012

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Mar. 5 (PIA) -- As an integral part of its action plan for disaster preparedness, the local government unit here organized its choice personnel as Army reservists and subjected them to a 30-day para-military training starting Mar 3 and 4, and every weekend thereafter.

Selected to compose one company of 50 individuals were mostly city ordinance enforcers and those coming from the office of general services, usually the same frontline personnel on call during potential calamity situations, such as inclement weather.

They will undergo Special Basic Citizens Military Training (SBCMT) Class 01-12 every Saturday and Sunday for the equivalent of one month at the Army Reserve Command Headquarters in barangay Canturing, this city.

The opening ceremony for this batch was held at the city gym Friday,Mar 2, which also coincided with the pinning of rank to city Mayor Maloney Samaco as Major in the Philippine Army Reserve. Samaco, speaker in the occasion, said that the organization of a ready reserve was primarily intended for easy mobilization during calamities.

The army reserve company in the city, once established, will also be utilized in the conduct of various activities on disaster preparedness, along with other socio-civic undertaking, like serving as a support group during the conduct of free medical-dental services in the city, Samaco also said. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)