In the recently-concluded 1st Regional Water Safety and Rescue Competition held in Tagum City on July 25-26, 2015, contingents from Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur reap four major awards. Mostly composed of rescue personnel and volunteers of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Team Sta. Cruz was declared first runner up overall behind eventual champion Team Kapalong, Davao del Norte.
Sta. Cruz was also adjudged Best in Spine Injury Victim Recovery, Best in Throwing Assist and Best in Disrobing and Use of Floatation Device. The awards were presented on Monday, July 27 by Philippine National Red Cross representatives to Mayor Joel Ray Lopez and MDRRM Officer Doris Tungal.
Mayor Lopez said the achievement is another good thing that happened to the municipality in terms of disaster preparedness. He added that it only goes to show that the manpower component of the personnel and volunteers are really equipped to handle rescue procedures in case disaster and calamities happen.
For her part, MDRRM Officer Doris Tungal was all praises for her manpower for the effort exerted during the competition. “Our team really has the enthusiasm and passion to respond to emergencies in the municipality. They are all our assets whom we can really rely on.”