GRATITUDE AFTER THE FLOOD: Members of Ripples of Hope return to Camp Olivas to thank Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3 personnel who rescued them and their loved ones from rising floodwaters in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga. The group also brought food packs for police personnel who continued serving the community despite being affected by the flooding themselves. (Jason de Asis)
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Members of the non-profit organization Ripples of Hope returned to Camp Captain Julian Olivas days after being rescued from rising floodwaters in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, this time to thank the police personnel who helped bring them and their families to safety.
Ripples of Hope, an organization promoting community engagement and action through philanthropy, was among those assisted by personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3 (RMFB3), led by PLTCOL Edilmar G. Alviar, during rescue operations conducted at the height of flooding in Sto. Tomas.
Among those evacuated was a woman accompanied by her minor child and her mother, who was undergoing cancer treatment. The circumstances prompted responders to prioritize their safe evacuation as floodwaters continued to rise.
RMFB3 personnel assisted the group in leaving the flooded area and brought them to safety. Although Camp Olivas was also affected by flooding, the rescued individuals were provided temporary shelter at the PRO3 Grandstand.
Days later, members of Ripples of Hope returned to Camp Olivas to personally express their gratitude to the police personnel who responded to their call for assistance.
The group also brought food packs for PRO3 personnel, acknowledging the efforts of responders who continued performing their duties despite being affected by the same flooding.
Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Regional Director Police Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez thanked the organization for the gesture and commended RMFB3 personnel for responding to the community during the emergency.
“Our personnel responded because it was their duty, but gestures like this remind us why that duty matters. In times of disaster, bringing even one person or one family to safety gives greater meaning to the work of our police personnel,” Mendez said.
He added that PRO3 personnel will continue to remain ready to assist communities affected by emergencies and disasters, consistent with the Philippine National Police directive to provide “Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman.”
The visit highlighted the role of police personnel in disaster response, particularly in assisting communities facing immediate threats to life and safety.
For the members of Ripples of Hope, their return to Camp Olivas provided an opportunity to personally thank the responders who assisted them during one of the most difficult moments of the flooding. (Jason de Asis)