A Rescue Boat for Boboy at Christmas

He was a naval architect, a marine engineer at age 30, and a budding entrepreneur who built a burger cafe that he called Captain’s Burger across from his office in Paranaque. Every Christmas, he would pack gifts for street children in Metro Manila, board them in his car, and distribute these among the poor children on the blocks. He was a bright, gentle, and active young bachelor until that fateful day of December 20, 1990, when a drug-crazed gunman snuffed the life out of him in a second. For his family, Christmas time has never been the same again.

Engr. Boboy Jimenez, my youngest brother, fell victim to a heinous crime, a mistaken target of a drug-crazed gunman. His death, at Christmas time, came with other celebrated killings during the 90s period that brought to national attention the need to address the problem of drugs and senseless loss of lives because of decadence in the streets and homes. Families who lost their loved ones because of syndicated crimes bonded together to seek justice and relief.

Remembering Boboy has since been commemorated with a Mass, gift-giving for children in poor communities, psycho-social activities, and fun so as not to forget it is still Christmas. This year, Archbishop Emeritus Rolando Tirona of Caceres officiates the commemorative Mass. Kurit Aki, in its 8th year, will have another 200 children joining psycho-social art or painting workshops, which volunteer artists conduct with ease and passion as interventions to help shake off anxiety and develop the kids’ resilience. This resilience, this ability to bounce back, is a testament to the strength of our community.

In addition, at Mariners, where Boboy served as the first Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1988, the Community Extension Services Office (CESO), at the urgings of the VP for Planning and Development, has initiated a timely intervention to help respond to recent environmental crisis: floodings in communities. Their volunteers have tapped local expert boat makers, Engr Julio Plopinio, Coach Jessie Asay, and Kagawad Albert Santiago Cananaman for the project. The Academic office under Engr Armie Olea and the maritime faculty are on board to assist.

They recognized how, at a young age, the late Engr Boboy strongly advocated for the safety of lives, and being a naval architect, he promoted ships as a safe refuge and mode of conveyance on the sea. He once talked about how, as a maritime country, the Philippines should also have shipbuilding as a primary industry. He looked up to the Founder of Mariners, Commodore Jaime Jimenez, an expert deep sea diver in rescue operations in the Philippine Navy. At the local level, Boboy he knew that boat making and fishery were lifelines to their daily survival, with as many as 40% of Bicolanos connected to the waters for sustenance. Safety of life should be an SOP. Rescue Boat Project to help save lives in flood-prone communities is an exciting feature of the Alay kay Boboy commemoration that hopes to raise resilience and optimism.

This season’s best feature is a Boat project that gives new meaning this Christmas as a climate change action and resource generation. Remember, on Christmas day in 2016, one of the worst typhoons, Typhoon Nina, struck and caused heavy devastation to thousands of families and homes. A rescue boat is not just necessary; it’s an urgent call to action. It’s a call to ensure our communities’ safety and be prepared for any eventuality. The time to act is now.  After Kristine, search and rescue are now constant reminders for Nagauenos and people in low-lying communities to be always prepared.

Why every flood-prone barangay and municipality should have a dedicated Rescue Boat on hand is now a compelling need. Tabang Bikol Movement issued its 15-point action areas with rescue boats as the number one doable emergency action for LGUs to adopt, especially in light of abnormal rainfall and high-rising waters caused by climate change. The massive cost of damage - lives and property- caused by severe storms Kristine due to unprecedented floodings in Naga City and most Camarines Sur low-lying communities has become a traumatic experience for families, even among residents in urban areas.  

Bicol has a whole range of beautiful bodies of water surrounding our communities. But with 20 or so typhoons regularly visiting us each year and floods that have now threatened every home time comes the responsibility of ensuring safety for all. One of the most critical safety measures and climate adaptability is having a dedicated rescue boat on hand while recovering and cleaning up our environment to help mitigate risks.  

At Mariners, we learn that a rescue boat is a boat rescue craft used to attend to a vessel in distress or its survivors to rescue crew and passengers. It is critical equipment to rescue people from their homes and communities during floods.  It can be hand-pulled, sail-powered, or powered by an engine. They can be rigid, inflatable, or rigid-inflatable combination-hulled vessels. They can be boats made of fisherfolks that are more sturdy and robust. They can be affordable and can be made more sophisticated and innovative.

The rescue boat project has been on the drawing board in Mariners’ planning. It should now be a reality as an immediate response to emergencies; a dedicated rescue boat for every barangay, organization, and municipality allows immediate response. But it’s not just about having the boat, it’s about what we do with it. It’s about conducting regular safety drills, continuing research for development, and compliance with safety regulations. It’s about constantly striving to be better, to be safer. Time is of the essence.