The Northern Luzon Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines (NOLCOM, AFP) continues to receive widespread praise for its vital role in the relief operations in response to Super Typhoon Julian, with Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Civil Defense Administrator, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to NOLCOM and its partners for their tireless work in assisting affected communities in Batanes and Ilocos Norte.
In a statement, Nepomuceno extended special recognition to NOLCOM Commander, Lieutenant General Fernyl Buca, PAF, and his team, as well as the continued support from U.S. forces, highlighting their collaborative efforts to bring much-needed aid to the most affected areas.
This partnership has been crucial in delivering food, shelter, and other relief supplies to vulnerable populations, Usec Nepomuceno added
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly to Lieutenant General Buca and the personnel of NOLCOM, for their unwavering commitment and dedication during the recent relief efforts in response to Typhoon Julian. Your tireless work alongside President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has been instrumental in providing much-needed assistance to our affected communities,” said Nepomuceno.
Since October 5, 2024, NOLCOM, in close coordination with the U.S. III Marine Expeditionary Force and supported by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has spearheaded relief missions to Batanes.
Due to runway limitations at Basco Airport, U.S. aircraft have been instrumental in airlifting supplies from Ilocos, including 1,000 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 1,000 shelter repair kits from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), 2,500 tarpaulin sheets and 1,000 kitchen sets from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Meanwhile, NOLCOM reaffirmed its commitment to its duties in providing rapid and effective disaster response.
“As protectors of Northern Luzon, we remain steadfast in our duty to serve our people, especially in times of crisis. NOLCOM will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and recovery of affected communities,” Buca emphasized.
NOLCOM also expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved in the relief efforts.
“We thank all our government agencies, local partners, international allies, and volunteers who have worked with us to help our communities recover. Your dedication and generosity have made a tremendous difference,” Buca added.
