CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City — The Northern Luzon Command alerted its military forces for disaster response operations in the face of Typhoon Florita’s onslaught in the northern part of the country on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
Florita, which is packing with strong winds, was estimated at 115 kilometers East of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h.
Northern Luzon has been experiencing intense rain spawned by Florita.
Northern Luzon Command immediately mobilized its units from the different Joint Task Forces (JTFs) to consolidate all available disaster response equipment as it firms up its response on the typhoon. Each JTF has Disaster Response Units that are ready to be deployed in times of calamities.
The 77th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division has also been alerted to provide assistance in Cagayan and Isabela provinces.
Joint Task Force ‘Karagatan’ of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon Command (NFNL) Philippine Navy also submitted its situational report and activities in the areas of Laoag City and Ilocos Norte.
Meanwhile, Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon (TOWNOL), Philippine Air Force’s Disaster Response and Rescue Teams have been placed on alert for possible Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Operations (HADRO) in Northern Luzon.
Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr, Commander of Northern Luzon Command, expressed that ‘aside from internal security and territorial defense, NOLCOM is also mandated to perform disaster relief and response operations’ as it covers an area that is often visited by natural calamities particularly typhoons.
“It is imperative that we maintain a high state of readiness in order to mitigate the impact of disasters in our communities,” said Lt. Gen. Torres Jr.
