Senate honors PH team who helped in rescue ops in quake-hit Turkey, Syria

The Senate on Wednesday honored the 82-man Philippine team who helped in the rescue and recovery operations conducted following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

This after the chamber adopted Senate Resolution 535 which was sponsored by Senator JV Ejercito.

The measure was principally authored by Senator Lito Lapid. All senators were made co-authors after its adoption.

The 82-man team was composed of 21 from the 525th Engineer Combat Battalion of the AFP, 51st Brigade; 12 from the Air Force 505th Search and Rescue Group; nine from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; eight from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; 30 from the Department of Health; and two from the Office of the Civil Defense.

“Filipinos are known to help each other in times of need. No burden is to be carried alone. We spread the weight on each others’ shoulders and push forward together. The true spirit of bayanihan lives on and our kababayans have shared it to the people of Turkey and Syria,” Ejercito said in his sponsorship speech.

Ejercito said this is also a way of giving back to other countries who helped the Philippines in times of disasters.

“Sa mga panahon pong tayo ang nasalanta, hindi po tayo pinabayaan ng ibang mga bansa. It was our turn to give back to those who have extended their kindness during our moments of need,” he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News