BALER, Aurora – The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of San Luis emerged as the overall champion in the 5th Aurora Provincial Rescue Olympics after topping a series of disaster response competitions that showcased the emergency preparedness, technical skills, and teamwork of responders from Aurora’s eight municipalities.

During the awarding ceremony held Thursday at the Senator Edgardo J. Angara Convention Center in Barangay Reserva, Baler, MDRRMO San Luis received the championship trophy along with PHP90,000 in cash, a plaque, medal, and certificate. With four special awards worth PHP10,000 each, the municipality took home a total of PHP130,000 in cash prizes.

The MDRRMO of Dipaculao finished as 1st Runner-Up and received PHP80,000, followed by Baler as 2nd Runner-Up with PHP70,000, and Dilasag as 3rd Runner-Up with PHP60,000, along with plaques, medals, and certificates.

San Luis also dominated the Special Awards after winning Best in CPR, Best in Bandaging and Splinting, Best in Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Management, and Best in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Dipaculao received the Best in Lifting and Moving award. Each special awardee received PHP10,000 and a certificate.

Meanwhile, Casiguran, Maria Aurora, and Dinalungan each received PHP40,000, along with a plaque, medal, and certificate, as consolation awardees.

The Rescue Olympics was held as part of Aurora’s observance of National Disaster Resilience Month 2026. Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) competed on July 28, while Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs) demonstrated their capabilities in simulated rescue and emergency response scenarios on July 29 at the Capitol Compound in Barangay Suklayin, Baler.

The awarding ceremony coincided with the 2nd Aurora Provincial DRRM Summit, which gathered provincial officials, representatives of national government agencies, municipal DRRM officers, emergency responders, volunteers, and other stakeholders in disaster risk reduction and management.

In his welcome remarks, Provincial DRRM Officer Engr. Amado Elson A. Egargue said disaster resilience extends beyond emergency response, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, strategic planning, effective leadership, and collective action in protecting lives and livelihoods.

He said the summit serves as a platform for sharing best practices, innovative approaches, and experiences in disaster risk reduction while strengthening coordination among local government units, national government agencies, and development partners.

In his keynote address, Governor Isidro P. Galban underscored Aurora’s resilience despite its vulnerability to strong typhoons due to its location along the eastern seaboard of Luzon.

Galban said disaster preparedness is not about preventing natural hazards but ensuring that families, communities, and government institutions are equipped to minimize damage and save lives.

Using Baler’s renowned waves and the historic Millennium Tree in Maria Aurora as symbols of resilience, he urged Aurorans to remain steadfast and prepared in the face of adversity. He also noted that despite the succession of strong typhoons that affected Aurora last year, the province recorded zero casualties, attributing the achievement to the coordinated efforts of DRRM offices, local government units, responders, volunteers, and residents who heeded government advisories.

The governor also acknowledged the continued support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Education (DepEd), and other partner agencies in strengthening the province’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities. He also cited the recent turnover of additional health and emergency response vehicles from the national government, which are expected to further enhance Aurora’s emergency response capacity.

Provincial Board Member Sheenalyn B. Tablang, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Risk Reduction and Management and Relief Operations, reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to disaster preparedness, saying resilience is a shared responsibility among government agencies, local communities, and every Auroran.

She said the summit’s theme, “One DRRM, Resilient Aurora Province,” reflects the province’s unified approach to building safer and more resilient communities through collaboration and continuous capacity-building.

Earlier, Dingalan emerged as overall champion in the BDRRMC category held on July 28, followed by Maria Aurora, Casiguran, and Dinalungan.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the annual Aurora Provincial Rescue Olympics and Aurora Provincial DRRM Summit remain among the Provincial Government of Aurora’s flagship initiatives to strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance emergency response capabilities, and promote inter-agency coordination across the province. (Jason de Asis)

TOP 📸: San Luis tops Aurora Rescue Olympics. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of San Luis receives the Overall Champion award during the 5th Aurora Provincial Rescue Olympics and 2nd Aurora Provincial DRRM Summit at the Senator Edgardo J. Angara Convention Center in Baler, Aurora on July 30, 2026. The annual competition, held in observance of National Disaster Resilience Month, recognizes the emergency response capabilities, technical skills, and disaster preparedness of local DRRM responders across the province. (Jason de Asis)