Peace Corps volunteers attend Binirayan Festival, donate water rescue equipment

(Left photo) Three (3) Peace Corps Volunteers (from left) dressed up in Malayan Kings and Queen costumes joining the celebration of “Binirayan” festival, the biggest annual event of Antique Province with Governor Exequiel Javier  (middle) and San Jose Municipal Mayor Rony Molina (right). They are part of the re-enactment and fluvial parade commemorating the first Malay settlement in the Philippines.  The PC volunteers are working with the Antique Province and San Jose Municipality on coastal resource management and disaster risk management activities since early 2011.

(Right photo) Peace Corps Response Volunteer Fred Grote (wearing a cap) posing with the Antique Provincial Rescue Team with the donated water rescue equipments sourced out from his network in USA. Fred is a Swift Water Rescue Trainer working with them since October 2011 until February 2012 thru the Peace Corps Response program that mobilizes highly skilled Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to provide short-term technical assistance to partner organizations.