Davao City — The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) announced Wednesday it will revive its rapid response motorcycle emergency services this year, aiming to reach accident scenes in under five minutes.

Rudy Encabo, assistant head of the CDRRMO, said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps Briefing on 28 January that motorcycles are more efficient than traditional four-wheel ambulances for navigating congested streets.

“We are reviving the motorcycle fast response emergency services which was initially done during the time of then-Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Encabo said. “We plan to revive this due to its fast response whenever an accident happens on the streets. We aim for a response with less than five minutes.”

Under the program, emergency teams will consist of two riders: One to transport medical equipment and another to provide immediate treatment to the patient. A traditional ambulance will be dispatched to follow if the patient requires hospital transport.

In addition to the rapid response units, the office is expanding its network of satellite stations. Current stations are operating in Toril, Calinan, Cabantian, Buhangin and Panacan.

Encabo said the city is also planning a new office in Ma-a, near the slaughterhouse, to complement the main headquarters on Sandawa Road. He noted that the Ma-a location would improve response times by providing easier access to routes leading to both Buhangin and Toril.