After sharpening their aquatic skills in controlled waters, frontline emergency responders from Iriga City faced the ultimate test of endurance as they transitioned to the open sea for the critical practical phase of their Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Training. The intensive two-day maritime operations were held at the Ma. Maruja Hotel and Beach Resort in Balogo, Pasacao, Camarines Sur, from May 21 to 22, 2026.
The training originally kicked off with technical pool drills at the Iriga City Sports Complex on May 18, before moving to deep-water ocean environments to test the participants’ physical limits, teamwork, and rescue capabilities under real-world conditions. Facilitated by elite instructors from the Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group (PCG-SOG) Bicol, the Pasacao leg brought trainees from the Iriga City DRRMO, local PNP, BFP, BJMP, Kabalikat Civicom 143, and United Kabalikat Civicom (UKC) through a series of rigorous ocean drills, including:
โข ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ-๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต๐ป๐ถ๐พ๐๐ฒ๐: Mastering victim extraction, stabilization, and survival in rough, unpredictable wave conditions.
โข ๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด: Command drills requiring heavy physical synchronization to transport, launch, and board rescue crafts through breaking surf.
โข ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด & ๐ข๐๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ฟ (๐ข๐๐ ) ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐: High-speed precision driving and navigation of motorized rescue boats through open ocean currents.
The absolute climax of the training occurred on the morning of May 22, when participants were transported far out into the ocean and dropped directly into the deep sea for a grueling 1-Mile Survival Swim. Designed to teach responders how to survive being stranded or separated from their vessels, trainees had to rely entirely on their stamina, aquatic techniques, and psychological resolve to complete the distance and make it back to shore safely.
Notably, Acting Jail Warden JSupt. Denver S. Tirao of the BJMP Iriga City District Jail and Iriga City Fire Marshal FCINSP Jun Jen P. Novela of the BFP Iriga City Fire Station also joined their personnel and completed the training alongside them.
The training officially concluded with a closing ceremony attended by Councilor Melnan R. Murallo-Asanza, Chair of the Fire Safety and Disaster Risk Reduction Committee, who honored the graduates and praised their bravery and readiness to deploy during maritime and flood disasters. Topping the class were FO1 Ivan B. Magistrado of the BFP and Ver Anthony Flor I. Ricafrente of the CDRRMO, recognized as the standout performers of the training.
This hands-on ocean training is consistent with Mayor Rex C. Oliva’s directive, as CDRRMC Chair, to strengthen the city’s rescue capabilities. By advancing the training from pool exercises to actual open-
water operations, the City Government of Iriga ensures that its responders are truly battle-tested and ready to save lives when extreme aquatic emergencies strike.
Source: Lungsod Ng Iriga