Aquino to lead awarding rites of disaster ‘heroes’ at Camp Aguinaldo

President Benigno Aquino III AP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III will lead Wednesday’s awarding rites at Camp Aguinaldo to individuals and leaders of organizations who helped during disasters and calamities.

Over 300 individuals and groups will be awarded for their “exemplary and extraordinary acts of selflessness in reaching out to those who are in urgent need of assistance in times of calamities and disasters,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

The awarding ceremonies for “BaKas Parangal” at AFP Commissioners Club are divided into three categories.

Category I, or BaKas Parangal ng Kadakilaan, is bestowed to recognize units or groups who participated in rescue efforts despite hardships.

There are 100 of which that will receive awards from Category I.

Meanwhile, 172 will be awarded in Category II, or BaKas Parangal ng Kabayanihan. These are the leaders of the units and groups which “exhibited exemplary acts of heroism upholdiong the core values of their responsibility to reach out to those in times of disasters.”

The awardees, who participated during the “habagat” (southwest monsoon) will be given a plaque as well as certificates for the members of the unit or group.

In Category III or BaKas Parangal ng Kagitingan, 36 individuals will be awarded by the President personally.

The awardees from Category III mostly took part during the search and retrieval operations for the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and his companions when his plane crashed off Masbate waters last month.

Two of the awardees helped  during “habagat” will also be given promotion to the next higher rank.

BaKas was taken from BAyaning KAsangga, which means a hero and person who defends another. It was also attributed to its literal meaning which is an “imprint” or remarkable impression that an individual leaves to those whom they have save, rescued or extended help and urgent assistance during calamities and disasters.

“We seek to promote yung una pagmamalasakit sa kapwa, yung drawing the hero in him,” said NDRRMC Operations Center Chief Director Edgardo Ollet.