TVIRD teams clinch national champion and first runner-up honors in industrial category
In photo: members of the TVIRD Balabag Gold-Silver Project Emergency Response Team perform a relay during the Regional Fire Olympics in Pagadian City.
Baguio City, Philippines/ March 2024 – The TVIRD Balabag Gold-Silver Project Emergency Response Team (ERT) achieved a notable milestone by cornering the championship title in the recently concluded National Fire Olympics in Baguio City. This success is shared with TVIRD’s wholly-owned company Greenstone Resources Corporation, operator of the Siana Gold Project – which secured first runner-up honors.
In commemoration of Fire Prevention Month, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) held its 8th National Fire Olympics at the Melvin Jones Football Ground in Burnham Park, Baguio City from March 19 to 21. An estimated 1,600 participants from both the government and private sectors attended the event.
The three-day competition featured highlights, such as the Fire Ground Search and Rescue Challenge, Search and Rescue Attack, Firefighting Relay, and High-level Ropemanship – all geared towards promoting fire safety and emergency preparedness.
Earlier, both teams clinched their respective Regional Fire Olympic championship titles in the BFP’s provincial competitions. Siana captured the top plum in Caraga, while Balabag cornered their victory in Region IX.
The road to the championship
Adhering to this year’s Fire Prevention Month theme, “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi ka Nagiisa” (In Fire Prevention, You are not Alone), both Siana and Balabag teams showcased their emergency response capabilities by demonstrating their alertness, organization and unity within the TVIRD Group while maintaining a high degree of camaraderie and brotherhood despite being rivals.
“Our sacrifices became worthwhile after seeing the two teams being awarded as champion and first runner-up in the industrial category of this competition. I know we all did our very best,” said TVIRD Group Safety and Health Manager and concurrent ERT Coach Aldrin Arieta.
The two teams dominated the National Fire Olympics with just a one-point overall difference between them. The Balabag ERT secured the gold medal for the Fire House Down Event, and silver medal for the Community Fire Buster Event while Siana bagged the silver medal in the Fire House Down Event, and bronze medal in the Blazing Showdown Event.
After the feat, both teams were given a hero’s welcome by TVIRD Managing Director Michael G. Regino who organized a lunch reception in Manila before they headed back home to their respective sites in Mindanao.
Safety wins
The TVIRD Group leads a solid track record of safety and health performance – a mindset that resonates strongly within the group and continues to drive its performance over the years. This same mindset extends to its communities who have been trained to respond to emergency situations and provide relief during times of crisis.
