Department of National Defense Officer-in-Charge Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., together with other key government officials, welcomed the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) to Türkiye upon their arrival at Terminal 3, NAIA on Tuesday night, 28 February 2023.
In his welcome message, USec. Galvez, who is also the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairperson, expressed his gratitude to the 82 members of the PIAHC for their successful humanitarian mission to assist in the earthquake search and rescue operations in Türkiye.
“The President conveys his heartfelt thanks to our contingent for completing the rescue and humanitarian mission in Turkiye,” Sec. Galvez said. “Though we are not a rich country, we were able to send an 82-men contingent to serve those people in need.”
The Defense Chief hailed the team’s commitment and dedication to help those affected, which he said will forever be remembered.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Andres C. Centino shared that he was happy that the team is back in good condition.
“This team is a manifestation of the Filipino value of always standing by its friends and allies,” General Centino said.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator USec. Ariel F. Nepomuceno stated that the agency immediately responded to the request of the Turkish government to send teams to aid in the medical and rescue operations following the Magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit the country last month.
“The OCD readily organized and dispatched a team composed of several organizations. We are happy and ready to serve, and we express our solidarity and oneness with our friends from Turkiye,” Usec Nepomuceno added.
Department of Foreign Affairs USec. Jesus Domingo; Department of Health USec. Nestor Santiago; OCD ASec. Raffy Alejandro, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, and Ambassador of Türkiye to the Philippines Niyazi Eyren Akyol also met the PIAHC upon their arrival. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
