TaRSIER 117 will transfer to its new command and operations center at the spacious Camp Esteban Bernido near the Tagbilaran City Hall in keeping of its swift life mission.
Its seal now probably the fastest recognized symbol in Bohol, the iconic TaRSIER means the Telephone and Radio System Integrated Emergency Response.
The new base can give the city’s “ALERT,†a puppy version of TaRSIER, an advantage for quick coordinated actions.
This, after Gov. Edgar Chatto and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Hernando Iriberri signed a usufruct agreement for Camp Bernido’s use for TaRSIER.
By usufruct, the TaRSIER is given the right to use the military reserve facility although the camp is still owned by the AFP.
Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II received the document already confirmed and approved by Department of National Defencse (DND) Sec. Voltaire Gazmin at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo on Monday, National Heroes Day.
The document was officially received from AFP Vice Chief of Staff John Bonafos thru Lt. Col Arvin Lagamon.
As endorsed by the AFP Real Estate Office, the Camp Bernido will also serve as the training base for emergency management and relief operations center.
But the existing center inside the Governor’s Mansion compound remains the core, central TaRSIER command.
Established by the administration of Chatto and Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim—with Damalerio considered its very brain—the TaRSIER is an arm of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC).
Bohol’s foremost emergency response group is an AFP Affiliate Signal Company per General Order No. 708 and by virtue of an earlier memorandum of agreement signed by then Chief of Staff Jessie Deliosa and Chatto.
Considering TaRSIER having trained men and women for emergency and disaster responses, including search and rescue, the affiliation was approved by the Office of the President on May 31, 2013.
Last week, Getafe Mayor Casey Shaun Camacho thanked Chatto for TaRSIER training services to the local disaster council and barangay officials.
Capitol has programmed a province-wide training down the puroks on disaster preparedness, emergency management and mass casualty incidence during calamities, disasters and other emergencies, natural or man-induced.
Last July, a TaRSIER 117 elite team was invited to observe and coach the participants during Cebu’s first search and rescue summit. (Ven rebo Arigo)