Ten police officers and firemen of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) were cited on Wednesday by the business community here as “heroes who confront dangers to save others’ lives.”
In a ceremony at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center following the State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) by SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, the Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce Inc. (SBFCCI) headed by its president Rose Baldeo, named the Outstanding Law Enforcers and Fire Fighters FY 2015-2016.
Baldeo, who is also president of Global Terminals & Development Inc. (GTDI), said the awards are a manifestation of gratitude from stakeholders of the Freeport for the heroism of police and fire officers of the SBMA.
“These officers are heroes in their own rights,” said Baldeo, noting the contributions of law enforcers and fire fighters in maintaining peace and order, and protecting lives and properties inside the Freeport and in nearby communities.
“They are always there when we need them anytime, anywhere. They sacrifice the time supposedly spent for their families, and, most of all, they face dangers to save other people’s lives,” she said.
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia also congratulated the awardees, adding said that it was due to their courage, dedication, and “malasakit” that the SBMA and the SBFCC honor them.
“We are very happy to know that our locators and investors recognize the values every SBMA worker possesses. The courage, dedication, and malasakit, plus theintegrity of each and every SBMA employees are well represented by this year’s and our very own ten outstanding law enforcers and fire fighters,” Garcia said.
The 10 awardees are: Edmund Avecilla, who is a recipient of several awards and certificates of recognition by different organizations as resource speaker, instructor, and environmental and livelihood advocate;
Jay-Arr Basa, who showed extraordinary bravery and expertise in retrieval operations, including the immediate recovery of three drowning victims in Candelaria, Zambales, in September 2015, and risking his own life to help the victims of the great earthquake that hit Nepal last April 25, 2015.
Elsie Cabral, named one of the Unsung Women Heroes of 2014 by the Soroptimist International of the Philippines, handled cases involving violation of women’s and children’s rights, and was a recipient of commendations from Olongapo City Council and the Senate of the Philippines in 2014, and the organizer of the outreach project “My Rolling Paaralan” in Olongapo City;
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Johnny Co, assigned at the Special Reaction Division and an active member of the SBMA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee, was cited for being always at the scene of emergency wherein his skills and expertise are needed;
Hedion Esteban, with proven excellence in firefighting, water search and rescue (WSAR), urban search and rescue (USAR), and high-angle search and rescue, is one of the heroic rescuers who were sent to help in Nepal after the great earthquake that hit last April 25, 2015;
Richard Johnson conducts SWAT skills briefing, demonstration and firearms familiarization at various schools, government agencies and non-government organizations, and is part of the SBMA Emergency Response Team who actively supported the operations during the conduct of the APEC Summit in January 23-February 6, 2015;
Benigno Medina is a recipient of various certificates of appreciation and commendation from different organizations and agencies for his valuable efforts in traffic education and road networking discipline, force protection, as well as his active support during the APEC Summit in 2015;
Romeo Paulmino was part of the SBMA Emergency Response Team who participated in major rescue operations, such as in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan during Typhoon Lando, the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal, clearing and flushing operations in Olongapo and Subic after Typhoon Odette, and retrieval and clearing operations in Tacloban, Leyte for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda;
Jesus Payumo is a recipient of various recognitions and commendations for his outstanding performance in enforcing the law, including the apprehension of suspects of attempted robbery at Duty Free Superstore in August 2014 and the arrest of larceny suspects of cable wires at Pastolan Village, Hermosa, Bataan on February 4, 2014; he is also a recipient of commendation from the Office of Civil Defense Region 3 for his valuable support during last year’s APEC Summit; and
Edwin Santos, was part of the Philippine Rescue Team who went to the heavily damaged remote areas of Nepal following the devastation of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
The recipients were cited for performing their duties above and beyond the call of duty, and exemplifying the spirit of a true Filipino.
(RAV/MPD-SBMA)
PHOTOS:
[1] Ten employees from the SBMA Law Enforcement and Fire Departments selected as most outstanding by the Subic Bay business community. (AMD-MPD/SBMA)
[2] SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (fourth from left) joins the 10 Outstanding Subic Freeport Law Enforcers and Firefighters, along with other SBMA officials, during the awarding rites organized by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday. (AMD-MPD-SBMA)
