A day after severe tropical storm (STS) "Maring" exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday, Oct. 13, that it has intensified its relief operations while search and rescue efforts continued to ensure the immediate delivery of assistance to all typhoon victims in Luzon.
The Philippine Army's Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) said 367 regular military personnel and 74 Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary were involved in the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations across Ilocos Region (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
"Disaster Response and Rescue Teams were mobilized conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in calamity-stricken communities," said Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., NOLCOM commander.
Two teams of DRRTs were fielded in Region 1 along with the Philippine Navy's Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) to perform rescue and relief operations.
One team was dispatched to conduct road clearing operations in Barangay Pallogan and distribute relief goods in Barangay Pudoc both in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.
Meanwhile, the other team -- composed of skilled divers and equipped with rubber boats and outboard motor -- was deployed in Barangay Sucoc Sur, Luna, La Union to conduct rescue operations.
Navy reservists from Baguio City also augmented the Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) in conducting evacuation, and search and retrieval operations for the victims of flooding and landslide in Barangay M. Roxas.
Personnel from the Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 stationed in Barangay Aridowen, Sta. Teresita, Cagayan also led the pre-emptive evacuation of 35 families from Purok 1, 2, and 3.
Meanwhile, security forces from the Army's Joint Task Force (JTF) Tala and JTF Kaugnay assisted in the on-going evacuation, road clearing operations, and hauling of relief goods to typhoon victims in Brgy. Kabugbugan, Luna, La Union.
Military reservists from the 14th Regional Community Defense Group and the Naval Reserve Center - Northern Luzon were also mobilized to support the AFP's disaster response and relief operations.
"All of our DRRTs will work round the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of all the people affected by this calamity. Coordinations have been made to our partner-agencies and different stakeholders to fastrack the delivery of relief goods and other basic services to the affected communities," Burgos said.