CAS fire responders receive recognition
Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through University President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., recognized the 13 first responders for their courage and swift action during the fire incident at the College of Arts and Sciences on November 20.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal and Vice President for Resource Generation and Management Bjorn Santos represented President Manzano in the awarding ceremony held on November 24.
The recognition highlighted the responders’ alertness and strict adherence to fire safety protocols, which played a crucial role in containing the blaze before the arrival of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Dr. Cajigal commended the awardees for their bravery, expressing the university’s profound gratitude for their heroism. “Their actions testify to the spirit we continue to cultivate in MMSU. Through their immediate response to the incident, we were able to prevent a bigger problem that the fire could have caused,” he said.
Prof. Romelyn Pabro, a Psychology faculty member of the Department of Social Sciences (DSS), shared that upon confirming it was smoke from a fire, she immediately alerted nearby faculty members in the north and east wings, called on the guard to sound the alarm, and contacted PNP Batac. “Lives come first before any property,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ralph Lawrence Queddeng, faculty member of the Physical Sciences Department, recounted: “I was having my online class at the time. Instinct took over, and I immediately alerted the guard to call the BFP and rushed to the scene with a fire extinguisher.” He added that the responders used around 20 extinguishers to suppress the flames, which they used to contain the blaze until help arrived.
Ms. Girlie Obrero, faculty member of DSS, also recalls that she carried four fire extinguishers to the scene but was unable to enter the room because she was barefoot at that time. “I handed the fire extinguishers to those who have access inside, and we were fortunate because all of us were trained to use them,” Obrero said.
The following first responders received certificates of recognition: Prof. Romelyn Pabro, Mr. Ralph Lawrence Queddeng, Mr. Neil Archie Garcia, Mr. Brent Wyn Guillermo, Prof. Raymond Paul Eclarin, Mr. Eddie Boy Trongco, Mr. Dave Louis Baptista, Mr. Sid Anthony Paolo Verdan, Ms. Girlie Obrero, Mr. Janlee Sardeng, Ms. Janica Pilien, Mr. Je'miah Rabena, and Mr. Kriezher Veehne Pagatpatan.
As MMSU continues to strengthen its safety and emergency preparedness measures, the university hopes the courage shown by these first responders will inspire the entire community to remain vigilant and united in safeguarding the campus. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder that in moments of crisis, collective efforts make all the difference. (𝘔𝘔𝘝)
Nov, 25, 2025 08:55:am
Written By:
STRATCOM
