As Typhoon Tino (international name: Khalmaegi) slammed Iloilo City, placing the region under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4, a specialized force of community responders was already in action. While the city braced for the typhoon's devastating winds and intense rain, the Master Trainers and volunteers of the RISE Program mobilized across high-risk neighborhoods, working in lockstep with city disaster officials.
The extreme weather triggered immediate preemptive evacuations. Among the most vulnerable were the flood-prone barangays of the Lapuz district, specifically Barrio Obrero and Loboc, where these newly-trained teams were put to their first major test.
Photos from the front lines captured the tireless dedication of the responders. Teams in yellow rain gear were seen navigating flooded streets, carefully transporting residents to safety. At evacuation centers, volunteers managed logistics, coordinated with local officials, and checked on families who had fled their homes.
A Partnership for PreparednessThe "RISE" vests worn by many volunteers identify them as graduates of the RISE Program, a community-based preparedness initiative forged from a powerful public-private partnership.
These local leaders were trained in 2024 by Philippine Transmarine Carriers (PTC), in close collaboration with the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO). The program equips local volunteers as "Master Trainers," empowering them with the critical skills needed for disaster risk assessment, preparedness, and emergency response.
Ms. Crystal Lopez, Program Associate of the PTC RISE Program, commented on the mobilization: "This is the very essence of the RISE Program. Seeing our 2024 graduates work seamlessly with the Iloilo CDRRMO under extreme conditions like Signal No. 4 is a powerful validation of their training and the community's incredible spirit."
The response was a prime example of bayanihan (community spirit). The RISE Program volunteers, local DRRM workers, and barangay officials worked as a unified team, demonstrating unwavering commitment during the crisis.
As Iloilo City begins to assess the damage from Typhoon Tino, the efforts of these teams in places like Barrio Obrero and Loboc stand as a testament to the power of community resilience. They are the neighbors, friends, and family members who, armed with training from the RISE Program and a deep sense of duty, stood in the gap to protect their communities.
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