THE Department of the Interior and Local Government gave a snappy salute to the five Bulacan rescuers who perished while conducting a rescue operation in the municipality of San Miguel at the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding.The DILG said it joined the Bulacan provincial government and the Bulaceños in grieving the death of Narciso Calayag, Jerson Resurreccion, Marvy Bartolome, George Agustin, and Troy Justin Agustin, who were all members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.“Our snappy salute to Narciso Calayag, Jerson Resurreccion, Marvy Bartolome, George Agustin, and Troy Justin Agustin of the BPDRRMO for responding to the call of duty and rendering an unequivocal testament of genuine public service even at the expense of their own lives,” it said in a statement.“We extend our deepest condolences and our sincere prayers to the families of the five brave rescuers who, like the thousand others tirelessly working in local government units, including police and fire personnel around the country, have carried us through the storm and exhibited their unparalleled commitment to public service. Ang inyo pong serbisyo ay hindi matatapatan ng kahit anumang halaga lalo na sa panahon ng kalamidad. Salamat po sa inyo!” it added.The five rescuers died after being hit by a collapsed wall while on board a boat on their way to their rescue mission in Barangay Camias on the evening of September 25, while Luzon was being battered by “Karding.”The DILG said it hoped that Filipinos would find inspiration in the dedication to duty of the five rescuers and be comforted that their lives were not wasted and were lived for the service of their fellow countrymen. (SunStar Philippines)