The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is leading the way in clearing mud, garbage, and other debris on top of rescue operations in areas devastated by Typhoon “Carina” so that government vehicles and equipment bringing relief goods and other assistance could come in.

A situational report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said a total of 1,319,467 individuals (299,344 families) were affected due to the combined effects of Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).

More than 886,000 individuals were displaced due to flooding and landslides in 16 out of the 17 regions in the country, excluding Eastern Visayas (Region 8).

Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office, said the military was working with other government agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) among others for an extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations.

“In line with the President's [Marcos Jr.] instructions, the AFP is assisting local government units (LGUs) and the Office of Civil Defense in providing immediate needs to isolated areas, conducting rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA), and facilitating recovery and relief operations,” Trinidad said on Friday, July 26.

The AFP has mobilized 71 search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) teams which comprised 1,882 personnel from the Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Air Force (PAF) and other support units who were deployed in areas where Carina wreaked havoc earlier this week.

The AFP also deployed 66 land assets, 10 water assets, and one air asset for HADR missions. 

In addition, the AFP also placed on stand-by alert 557 SRR teams with 5,741 personnel, 428 land assets, 50 water assets, and 10 air assets “to ensure readiness for further deployment as needed.”

So far, the NDRRMC said more than P61 million worth of relief assistance has been distributed to the typhoon victims.

The OCD and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have P3.36 billion worth of standby funds and prepositioned relief stockpile for distribution.

Challenges

At present, the NDRRMC said 90 roads and six bridges nationwide were still not passable to the public which hampers the government’s HADR operations. 

These are located in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administration Region (CAR), Ilocos (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Power supply has also yet to be restored in 24 areas in NCR, Regions 1, 3, 4A, 4B, and 9.

Meanwhile, four areas in Calabarzon and Region 9 have yet to re-establish their water supply after pipes were damaged due to flooding.

Trinidad said the AFP aims to complete the clearing operations as soon as possible so that crucial aid will be delivered swiftly, especially in areas isolated due to flooding and landslides.

“The AFP remains vigilant and prepared, coordinating closely with local government units and disaster risk reduction offices to ensure timely and effective assistance,” he said.