Key military locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and United States are now being utilized to bolster the country’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations amid the lingering effects of Tropical Storm Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).

A report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed the number of individuals affected by Crising and habagat increased to 1,266,322, comprising 362,465 families in Ilocos (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Bicol (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), Northern Mindanao (Region 10), Davao (Region 11), Soccsksargen (Region 12), Caraga (Region 13), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), National Capital Region (NCR), and Negros Island Region (NIR).

Of those affected, more than 82,000 were displaced, including 17,000 who were sheltered in 277 evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, the death toll from Crising and habagat also rose to six: three in Region 10, and one each in Regions 4B, 11, and 13. There were also six missing in Regions 6 and NCR, and five injured in Regions 10 and 12.

The extent of damage in agriculture and infrastructure also became clearer as local DRRM offices began submitting damage assessments after the typhoon exited the country. The combined damage from the two sectors reached P467 million in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4B, 6, 10, CAR, and NIR.

The NDRRMC report revealed that the estimated cost of damage to agriculture reached P54,067,336.63 and the most affected was Region 4B which incurred P44 million worth of damage in 1,616.18 hectares of crops.

Meanwhile, damage to infrastructure ballooned to P413,020,214.38, with Region 1 suffering the most with P299.5 million worth of loss and 44 damaged infrastructure projects; followed by Region 6 with a loss of P112 million and nine damaged infrastructure projects. There were also 1,501 damaged houses in 15 regions.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary and NDRRMC Chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who is part of the Philippine delegation accompanying President Marcos Jr. in the United States for an official work travel, said coordinated responses were being implemented to ensure the rescue of those who are in need and deliver relief assistance to residents who had to evacuate.

“I have talked to General [Romeo] Brawner [Jr.] in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and he will coordinate whatever assistance is needed with the US Indopacom [Indo-Pacific Command] to utilize the EDCA facilities and other equipment that is needed by our Armed Forces of the Philippines so they can help our countrymen,” he said.

Brawner said the EDCA sites were activated as forward operating hubs for humanitarian aid. This means that military assets such as aircraft, personnel, and relief assistance from the US government may be accommodated in the EDCA sites so they can be transported to typhoon-hit areas.

“I have ordered our Unified Commands and Major Services to activate these sites as primary hubs for HADR operations,” Brawner said.

“This activation includes the strategic prepositioning of our rescue assets and the consolidation of relief goods, which we are undertaking in close partnership with the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] to ensure a synchronized, whole-of-nation effort,” the military chief added.

At present, there are nine EDCA locations across the country. These are the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu; Lumbia Airfield in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental; Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in southern Palawan.

Notably, the Lal-lo Airport boosts airlift capabilities in North Luzon, the Basa Air Base serves as a key air operations hub in Central Luzon, and Benito Air Base is useful for logistics and HADR operations in the Visayas. Some of the hardest-hit areas by Crising are located in the said regions.

Brawner said the use of forward logistical springboards allow the troops to deliver aid faster and more efficiently to those who need it most, and is a crucial advantage that will save lives.

“We are in close coordination with the US Indo-Pacific Command to ensure seamless interoperability as we utilize these shared facilities and other transportation and airlift assets for this vital purpose,” he said.

Brawner said the AFP was leveraging every available advantage, including its strong alliances and strategic infrastructure, to fulfill its “most sacred mandate”, which is to serve and protect the Filipinos.

According to the NDRRMC, a total of 441 barangays were flooded due to Crising and habagat. As of Tuesday, 243 areas remained submerged in floodwater, most of which were in Regions 3 with 172 flooded areas, Region 1 with 43,  and NIR with 14.

Floods in 180 areas have also subsided while floods in 18 areas also began receding.

A total of 173 road sections and bridges were affected by flooding and landslides, most of which were in Region 1.

Power interruption was also reported in 116 cities and municipalities, and 18 areas remained in the dark while 98 others have already restored power supply.

One barangay each in CAR and Region 4B also had water supply interruption while 27 areas in Regions 1, 4B, and 10  had their communications lines cut.

The NDRRMC has extended P61 million worth of relief assistance to the typhoon victims.