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Rescue teams from across Northern Luzon converged in Apayao as the province hosted the first Northern Luzon Rescuelympics at the Apayao River, Dacao Dam Section in Lower Maton.
A total of 11 provinces and two cities joined the competition, fielding teams from the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley. Participating contingents came from Apayao, Abra, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Cauayan City.
The Rescuelympics was organized by the Office of Civil Defense – Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR) in partnership with OCD Regions I and II, with Apayao serving as host.
Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros attended as guest of honor, highlighting the role of trained responders and coordination among agencies during emergencies.
Also present during the opening were Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr., OCD-CAR Regional Director Albert Mogol, OCD Region I Director Laurence Mina, OCD Region II Director Leon Rafael Jr., and OCD Region III Director Shelby Ruiz.
Support messages were delivered by national officials Ana Carmela Remigio, Antonio Tabora, and Aristotle Gonzalez, emphasizing the need for capable response teams in the face of disasters.
The competition featured a series of rescue simulations and field exercises such as Swift Water Rescue, Amazing Race, and Sky Pilot Maneuvering Techniques, testing coordination, timing, and execution under pressure.
The activity places Apayao at the center of regional efforts to sharpen disaster response and strengthen coordination among rescue units.
