MMDA sends rescue teams to Yolanda-hit Visayas

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has sent four rapid deployment search teams to the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc in Leyte and Borongan in Eastern Samar on Sunday to help in the ongoing rescue and clearing operations in areas hit by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ on Friday.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the four teams will coordinate with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) and other government agencies and assist in finding everyone, casualties and survivors, as well as in the clearing of debris.

“Two teams are dispatched to Tacloban and one team each is assigned in Ormoc City and Borongan, Eastern Samar," said Tolentino.

The four teams are composed of 50 personnel from the agency’s Public Safety Division (PSD), Road Emergency Group (REG), Metro Parkways Clearing Group (MPCG), and Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG).

"These are well-trained personnel similar to the ones sent previously to rescue missions in several provinces. Their expertise and dedication will definitely boost the inter-agency disaster response efforts,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said the teams are equipped with chainsaws, floating pumps, generator sets, tents, tool sets, trauma kits, and cadaver bags. They also brought with them a mobile water treatment plant.

Last month, the MMDA sent rescue teams to Bohol and Cebu which were devastated by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake.