As Typhoon Marce approaches, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have mobilized their resources and are coordinating closely with local government units (LGUs) and relevant agencies to ensure rapid response efforts to protect public safety and assist affected areas.
In a PTV-4 interview on Thursday, Nov. 7, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla emphasized the military’s readiness, with specialized teams and equipment set for search and rescue.
“Ang ating 525th Combat Engineer Battalion, pinamumunuan nito ni Col. Bautista, ito ‘yung specialized urban search and rescue team natin. So lahat po ito, dine-deploy natin, ito po ay nakastandby in order to assist in relief efforts and the search and rescue operations that need be (Our 525th Combat Engineer Battalion, led by Col. Bautista, is a specialized urban search and rescue team that has been deployed and is on standby to assist in relief efforts and search and rescue operations that need be),” said Padilla.
To prepare for potential challenges, the AFP official said they have pre-positioned a variety of resources across the country.
“So ang mga naka-standby natin are engineering brigade assets, nandyan din ‘yung ating mga trucks, army trucks, and ‘yung mga areas na lubog, doon na doon naka-standby natin yung mga rubber boats natin (Our standby resources include engineering brigade assets, along with our trucks, army trucks, and for the flooded areas, we have our rubber boats stationed and ready there),” said Padilla.
“Dito sa pagdating po nitong si Marce, meron tayong air assets na are on standby. Kapag-flyable po ‘yan, saka natin i-deploy. We have around 56 land assets and 209 sea assets (For the arrival of Marce, we have air assets on standby. Once they are flyable, we will deploy them. We have around 56 land assets and 209 sea assets ready),” she added.
The AFP spokesperson noted that such resources are part of a larger, coordinated response involving the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Padilla said that the AFP, together with local government units and partner agencies, has expanded its reach to ensure that assistance is provided even to remote communities.
Meanwhile, PCG acting spokesperson Lt. Commander Michael John Encina outlined similar preparatory measures, saying that the Coast Guard is under heightened alert.
“Kasalukuyan ang PCG nasa heightened alert status bilang paghahanda sa epekto ng Bagyong Marce. Ang heightened alert status naman ay nangangahulugan na ang lahat ng tauhan ng PCG dapat naririyan at nakahanda ang rumisponde (The PCG is currently on heightened alert in preparation for the impact of Typhoon Marce. This alert status means that all PCG personnel are required to be present and ready to respond),” he said.
“Kaya ito ang ating measures para mapanatili natin ang kahandaang dapat ipigay natin at ‘yung preparations po natin is on top of this (These are the measures we are implementing to ensure we maintain the readiness we need, with our preparations fully in place),” he went on.
Per Encina, the PCG has activated its Disaster Response Groups (DRGs), a strategic measure to facilitate the rapid mobilization of search and rescue vessels and other critical assets.
He stated that their search and rescue vessels and other equipment are ready, adding that they have coordinated closely with local disaster management offices to ensure seamless collaboration.
Encina emphasized the importance of coordination with other agencies and LGUs in coastal regions.
AFP and PCG spokespersons have urged the public to heed official advisories and remain vigilant.
State weather bureau PAGASA has issued a warning for northern Luzon as Typhoon “Marce” (Yinxing) draws near, predicting a critical period to start Thursday afternoon, Nov. 7.
It reported that Marce might make landfall or closely approach Santa Ana or Camiguin Island in Cagayan province between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., with severe conditions likely persisting into Friday, Nov. 8.