TAEF

The "The 2024 Taiwan-Philippines Training Program for Special Rescue Team," co-hosted by the Office of Trade Negotiations of the Executive Yuan, the National Fire Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROC and the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation, successfully concluded yesterday (20th) at the National Fire Agency Training Center (NFATC). The 11-day training camp was attended by a 49-member special rescue team from the Philippines, led by Chief Superintendent  Rachel R. Verbo, and Senior Superintendent Romel C. Tradio, Head of the Special Rescue Unit.

Distinguished guests at the closing ceremony included Hsiao Huan-Chang, Director-General of the National Fire Agency; Sung Shen-Wu, Assistant Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Chang Yu-Lin, Assistant Trade Representative of the Office of Trade Negotiations; Hsu Chih-Ming, Director of the Bilateral Trade Division of the Bureau of Foreign Trade (pre-recorded speech); Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao , Chairman of the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation ( pre-recorded speech); and Senior Superintendent Romel C. Tradio from the Philippine Bureau of Fire Protection, General Manager of the MoBottle Coporation, Mr.Chen Ruei-nan and Secretary-General Shao-Wei Huang of Taiwan Association of Disaster Prevention Industry (TADPI).

Hsiao Huan-Chang, Director-General of the National Fire Agency Training Center , remarked that every aspect of this training camp thoroughly tested the participants' professional skills, teamwork, and ability to respond to emergencies. He believes that during this period, not only did the participants improve their technical skills, but they also strengthened their resilience, enabling them to "remain calm and act decisively" when facing unknown challenges. Director-General Hsiao emphasized that this training embodied "the value of international cooperation and friendship." While various extreme disasters threaten people's lives and property, he stressed that as long as we face these challenges together, we can overcome them. He concluded by highlighting that "this training is not an end but a new beginning." As seed instructors, the participants will take the knowledge and skills they acquired back to their home countries, allowing them to "branch out and grow strong." Taiwan will continue to maintain communication with partner nations, actively engage in discussions, and promote regional disaster prevention and rescue cooperation, contributing more to the safety of the Asian region.

Assistant Trade Representative Zhang Yu-Lin from the Office of Trade Negotiations, Executive Yuan remarked that this year marks the third time the Philippines has participated in such training, and he sincerely hopes that this cooperation will continue next year. Chang highlighted that given the "similar climate and geographical conditions" shared by Taiwan and the Philippines, both nations face common challenges such as landslides and other natural disasters. He emphasized that Taiwan's extensive experience in search and rescue operations and disaster prevention can help the Philippines enhance its ability to "protect its people and strengthen societal resilience." This ongoing partnership is seen as an important step toward boosting regional security, and it will "help protect our people and make society even better."

Assistant Director General Song Shen-Wu from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Ministry to all participants who successfully completed the two-week intensive professional training in Taiwan. He emphasized that this is "not the end of our friendship, but the beginning of forging new ties with Taiwan." Sung encouraged the participants to share their experiences with colleagues and fellow citizens, as Taiwan "is willing to support and assist its neighboring countries." Echoing Director-General Hsiao’s words, Sung pointed out that Taiwan and the Philippines face common challenges, such as "typhoons and earthquakes, which sometimes occur simultaneously." In addition, China’s recent gray-zone activities pose new threats to the region, "target[ing] us and ASEAN countries without mercy." He expressed the Ministry’s hope that Taiwan and the Philippines will "work hand in hand, exchange students and best practices, and enhance knowledge sharing." He particularly highlighted Minister Lin Chia-Lung’s commitment to strengthening relations with the Philippines, noting that Minister Lin has visited the Philippines several times to bolster ties and resilience. Taiwan's southern region and the northern Philippines "part of the same community," sharing the responsibility of defending the First Island Chain and protecting their way of life. Sung looks forward to further deepening relations between the two nations in the future.

Director of Bilateral Trade Division I of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Hsu Chih-Ming, in his pre-recorded speech, extended warm congratulations to all participants who successfully completed the special rescue team training. He noted that both Taiwan and the Philippines are "no strangers to the impacts of climate change," and with the increasing intensity and frequency of disasters, the two countries must work together to enhance disaster prevention and response capabilities. Hsu emphasized that although firefighting still faces many challenges, the progress made through the "practical experience and knowledge sharing" in this collaboration has clearly demonstrated its effectiveness, marking an important milestone that will "inspire us to keep moving forward." He further underscored that the "possibilities for cooperation in firefighting are limitless" between the two countries. Hsu hopes that this training has provided participants with practical skills for responding to future disasters, and he once again congratulated all participants, wishing them continued success.

In his pre-recorded speech, Chairman Hsiao Hsin-Huang of the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation states that this program aims to deepen Taiwan's cooperation with New Southbound Policy (NSP) countries in disaster rescue, highlighting that "people-centered" firefighting training aligns with the core values of the New Southbound Policy and its upgraded version (NSP+). Taiwan leverages its advanced technology and extensive disaster response experience to "enhance the Philippines' disaster prevention and response capabilities." Chairman Hsiao pointed out that this training marks an important step toward Taiwan becoming an "Asia-Pacific Disaster Training Hub," which will serve as a "key platform" for international learning and joint capacity building. By more effectively sharing Taiwan's disaster prevention experience, Chairman Hsiao believes the program will contribute to enhancing overall societal resilience. He emphasized that this training camp is not the end of the cooperation but "the beginning of a new journey," expressing his hope to see more international partners joining the collaboration in the future.

Senior Superintendent Romel C. Tradio from the Philippine Bureau of Fire Protection expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the "delicious food, excellent training, and warm hospitality" provided during the training. He emphasized that this training marks an important beginning in the development of the Philippines' capabilities, greatly enhancing its disaster response efficiency. Both Taiwan and the Philippines have experienced earthquakes, and Tradio further noted that the Philippines looks forward to improving its local disaster response capabilities and contributing to international disaster relief efforts. He expressed the Philippines' desire to continue strengthening its close ties with Taiwan. Finally, Tradio conveyed his sincere appreciation to Taiwan by saying "Maraming salamat po" (which means "Thank you very much" in Filipino).

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【About The 2024 Taiwan-Philippines Training Program for Special Rescue Team】

The 2024 Taiwan-Philippines Training Program for Special Rescue Team continues the disaster prevention training projects under the New Southbound Policy in recent years. Since 2023, the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) has supported the Office of Trade Negotiations, Executive Yuan, in cooperation with the National Fire Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the International Trade Administration to promote the program. The training aims to implement the "people-centered" concept of the New Southbound Policy, focusing on disaster prevention and firefighting to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Both Taiwan and the Philippines are prone to natural disasters, such as typhoons, floods, and landslides, making cooperation between the two countries particularly important. Since last year, the resilience cooperation promoted by TAEF has left a deep impression on international trainees, especially Taiwan's cross-departmental disaster prevention coordination capabilities. Trainees have praised innovative initiatives such as the use of drones and unmanned vehicles for pre-disaster detection, which not only improved rescue efficiency but also effectively reduced risks for firefighters during disaster relief operations.

During the training, several Taiwanese disaster prevention industries actively participated, sharing various advanced disaster prevention equipment. The National Fire Agency and the National Fire Agency Training Center (NFATC), adhering to the concept of "soft power diplomacy," are dedicated to sharing Taiwan's disaster prevention experience and resources. Through exchanges and training with disaster prevention personnel from various countries, they aim to enhance cooperation capabilities and improve disaster response technology and awareness.

Looking ahead, TAEF hopes that the government will continue to build comprehensive partnerships while promoting the New Southbound Policy, creating a "disaster resilience corridor." This not only reflects Taiwan's humanitarian spirit of empathy but also enables Taiwan to share its extensive disaster prevention experience with New Southbound partner countries, jointly enhancing disaster response capabilities to face future challenges.

Hsiao Huan-Chang, Director-General of the National Fire Agency gives remark, Senior Superintendent Romel Tradio from the Philippines Bureau of Fire Protection gives remark, Chang Yu-Lin, Assistant Trade Representative of the Office of Trade Negotiations; Hsu Chih-Ming, Director of the Bilateral Trade Division of the Bureau of Foreign Trade (pre-recorded speech), Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao , Chairman of the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation ( pre-recorded speech);

Award Ceremony (Hsiao Huan-Chang, Director-General of the National Fire Agency; Sung Shen-Wu, Executive Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Chang Yu-Lin, Assistant Trade Representative of the Office of Trade Negotiations; Hsu Chih-Ming

Group Photo