TARLAC CITY — Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) has shifted Monday its disaster response efforts in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela to relief operations.
This development came less than two days after the military dedicated unprecedented number of aircraft, personnel and rescue equipment in response to the worst flooding in four decades in Cagayan Valley region.
“Aerial reconnaissance on Sunday indicated that no more civilian was stranded in roofs and other danger zones which is a result of the concerted efforts of local government units, line agencies and security forces whose more than 24 hours of relentless efforts ensured that our constituents’ plea for help will be answered,” NOLCOM Commander Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said.
“The delivery of goods is now your soldiers’ top priority but we are ready to respond and perform rescue missions should the situation deem it necessary,” he furthered.
Burgos disclosed that several non-governmental organizations and partner-stakeholders reached out to NOLCOM expressing their desire to donate basic necessities such as food, water, and clothing for the victims of typhoon Ulysses in Northern and Central Luzon.
He also disclosed that about 10 truckloads of relief packs for thousands of families have already reached Cagayan and Isabela.
Meanwhile, Philippine Navy’s BRP-Davao del Sur will be sailing from Manila to Cagayan’s Sta Ana Port to ferry more relief packages for the victims while air assets are still currently deployed to monitor and deliver essential items to isolated areas as well as perform medical evacuation in times of emergencies.
“Your soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines will continue our close coordination with the Incident Management Teams, chaired by the provincial governors, to ensure that appropriate actions depending on the situation will be undertaken in the soonest possible time,” Burgos said.
NOLCOM units are active members and partners of different Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils of Regions 1, 2, 3 and Cordillera which are the legally-mandated body to lead Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response operations before, during and after calamities.
Burgos enjoined everyone to channel the Bayanihan spirit by helping those affected in the northern regions to recover from this unfortunate devastation in the soonest possible time.
Intentions to donate essential items are encouraged to be coursed through Office of Civil Defense Cagayan Valley for faster coordination and to ensure that assistance are equitably distributed across the disaster-stricken region.
Aside from Region 2, NOLCOM is also currently performing humanitarian missions in Cordillera and Central Luzon.