Coordinates with PNP in extracting community members trapped in rising waters
Tubay, Agusan del Norte/ March 2021 – The Agata Emergency Response Team (Agata ERT) has been on high alert even before Typhoon Auring made landfall in Caraga, standing by in order to ensure immediate response, especially in flood-prone areas of Agusan del Norte Province where the company operates it nickel laterite DSO project.
Historically, the Caraga and Surigao Regions have been prone to several natural disasters, including earthquakes, typhoons and extreme flooding. Agata’s host municipalities are no exception.
The elite Agata ERT volunteers are specially-trained in rescue operations and have provided immediate response to its host and surrounding communities over the years. In coordination with local authorities, it continues to watch over its communities, particularly in times of uncertainty.
Manning the home front
In its host municipality of Jabonga, Agata Safety Engineer Dexter Cabeza led six Agata ERT responders in rescuing a family of six (three adults and three children) who were trapped in flood waters, which rose quickly even prior to Auring’s landfall. The family was brought to higher ground to join others who were evacuated upon the arrival of unprecedented heavy rains.
The rest of the 18-man team was deployed in the field to monitor both the water level and the conditions of surrounding communities that are prone to floods. Aside from deploying its ERT, the company also closely coordinated with its Barangay liaison officers in the affected areas for possible evacuation of residents.
The destruction brought by floods was also unexpected. This included public utilities that are vital to the communities. In response, Agata also extended the support of its General Services Department to the communities, particularly in fixing Barangay E. Morgado’s fallen electric posts and water drainage – which were badly damaged.
The onset of the typhoon
Auring made landfall over Batag Island in the town of Laoang, Northern Samar Province last February 22.
Due to incessant rains and strong winds associated with the typhoon, about 13,816 families or 53,236 persons in Regions 10, 11 and the Caraga Region were affected, according to a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
No other casualty or incidents have been recorded in the communities near Agata, according to the report.
Public and private emergency organizations are now creating ways and alternatives to have better coordination, equipped responders and efficient emergency systems as the region is one of the areas most affected by the worst typhoons in the country.
It was devastated during Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) on December 2012, Typhoon Ruping (Mike) on November 1990, and Typhoon Nitang (Ike) on August-September 1984.
An added safeguard
Agata’s team of emergency responders is bourne from the company’s commitment to ensure a safe and healthy work environment as well as communities that are resilient to natural disasters. The members are its employees from the communities themselves: maintenance personnel, electricians, statisticians, encoders, mine checkers and aides who volunteer their time to be trained by the company’s Safety Department.
Since its establishment in 2017, the Agata ERT has since received a number of recognitions, including the Provincial Champion in Fire Brigade Competition for three consecutive years (2017-2019) and a number of accolades during the Regional Firefighters Competition. It was also awarded Overall Champion in Fire Fighting in the 5th Caraga Mine Safety Competition.
On the national level, the team was recognized as the Fire Brigade Champion in the Field Safety Competition of the 2018 Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Baguio City.
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