SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday presented to the next of kin of the five fallen Bulacan rescuers a copy of House Resolution No. 16 honoring their heroic deed.

Romualdez also gave financial assistance to each family.

Adopted last September 28, 2022, the resolution recognized the bravery of Narciso Calayag Jr., Jerson Resurreccion, Marby Bartolome, George Agustin, and Troy Justin Agustin, who all died performing their duty to save people’s lives in Barangay Kamias in San Miguel, Bulacan at the height of the onslaught of super typhoon “Karding.”

The five men were rescue personnel of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

Speaker Romualdez received the families of the ill-fated Bulacan rescuers at his office at the House of Representatives where he handed them a copy of the House resolution and the financial assistance.

Speaker Romualdez also announced that the Office of the Speaker, in partnership with Tingog party list through Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, would likewise provide additional forms of assistance to the families of the Bulacan five.

The additional assistance include medical, burial, educational aid in the form of laptops and scholarships for studying members of their families, job opportunities, and livelihood program packages, according to Romualdez.

The Speaker also reiterated his gratitude and admiration for the dedication to duty of the rescue personnel who performed their task without hesitation in a bid to save others even at the risk of their own lives.

“We will not forget your sacrifice and heroism, Narciso Calayag Jr., Jerson Resurreccion, Marby Bartolome, George Agustin, and Troy Justin Agustin. We will keep you in our prayers,” Romualdez said.

Speaking on behalf of the kin of the five fallen Bulacan rescuers, Michelle Resurreccion—wife of the team leader of the group, Jerson Ressurecion—thanked the House of Representatives and everyone for the outpouring of support and assistance they received, as well as the recognition of the ultimate sacrifice of their loved ones.

“Sa lahat po ng tulong na bumuhos at aming natanggap, at ngayon po sa parangal at tulong na inyong pinagkaloob dito sa Kongreso taos-puso po ang pasasalamat namin. Salamat po sa pagpapahalaga sa sakripisyong ginawa nilang lima,” she said.

Michelle also took the opportunity to appeal to the lawmakers to provide better benefits for all personnel tasked to respond to emergency situations and times of calamity.

“Kung ang buhay po ng lima naming mahal sa buhay ang magiging kapalit upang mapabuti ang mga nagbubuwis ng buhay sa panahon ng sakuna ay buong puso namin tatanggapin basta po sana hindi mawalan ng saysay ang kanilang sakripisyo,” she added.

The House resolution was introduced by Speaker Romualdez, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre.

“The five rescuers gave their lives in the service of others, thus, they are worthy of commendation and emulation by all Filipinos as they exuded heroism, patriotism, bravery, and dedication to public service,” the resolution pointed out.

It noted that while in the conduct of their rescue mission, the rescuers were wading through the flood when a wall collapsed on them and they were dragged away by the raging flood. Because of the strong current of the flash flood that swept them, none of the five rescuers survived.

House Resolution No. 16 was consolidated with 12 other resolutions, namely HR Nos. 414 of Bulacan Rep. Salvador A. Pleyto, 416 of Cavite Rep. Ramon Jolo B. Revilla III, 427 of Benguet Rep. Eric G. Yap, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, and ACT-CIS party-list Reps. Edvic Yap, Jeffrey Soriano, Jocelyn P. Tulfo, and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo; 428 of Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list Rep. Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva, 429 of Bulacan Rep. Ambrosio Cruz, 432 of Lordan G. Suan, and Misamis Oriental Reps. Christian S. Unabia and Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano; 435 of Pinuno party-list Rep. Ivan Howard A. Guintu; 437 of Quezon City Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” C. Atayde, 438 of Bulacan Rep. Lorna C. Silverio, 442 of Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, 443 of Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto, and 447 of Bulacan Reps. Danny A. Domingo and Augustina Dominique “Ditse Tina” C. Pancho.

Super typhoon Karding battered the provinces of Quezon, Aurora, Zambales, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, affecting nearby provinces such as Bulacan and Pampanga, as well as Metro Manila.