Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – As flash flood strikes the areas of Eastern and Northern Samar, the Visayas Command (VISCOM) launches Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations to mitigate the effects of the flash flood and save lives.
It was disclosed that a total of 28 HADR Teams with mobility assets and HADR equipment were deployed during the height of the flash flood to assist in the conduct of pre-emptive evacuation, search and rescue, road-clearing operations, hauling and delivery of relief items to the affected communities in Eastern and Northern Samar.
On November 21, HADR Teams of the 803rd Infantry Brigade under the Joint Task Force Storm (JTF Storm) rescued and evacuated a total of 50 families or 312 individuals in the affected communities of Catarman, Samar.
Likewise, the HADR Teams of the 3rd Infantry Battalion and 19th Infantry Battalion in collaboration with the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) facilitated the pre-emptive evacuation of residents in the affected communities of Las Navas and Pambujan, both of Northern Samar.
Meanwhile, HADR Teams of the 43rd Infantry Battalion conducted road-clearing operations in Catarman and Mondragon, both of Northern Samar to facilitate entry and expedite the delivery of basic services to the affected residents.
Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM expressed that “Apart from the deployed HADR Teams, we still have several HADR Team placed on standby alert and ready to move on order if the situation further escalates. Likewise, our units on the ground have established close coordination with the Local Government Units and local DRRMOs to ensure prompt response to the affected communities.”
A total of 142 HADR Teams comprised of Officers, Enlisted Personnel, and CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) have been organized by VISCOM and placed on standby alert in case the situation will further escalate. It was also disclosed that air and naval assets have been placed on standby alert by VISCOM, in case there is a need to facilitate the delivery of relief items from other regions.
Lt Gen Arevalo concluded as he reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the safety and security of the people in the Visayas region, “We have placed contingency for this situation. Rest assured that VISCOM, as your Reliable Armed Forces in the Visayas, stands firm on our commitment to ensure the safety and security of our people in this part of the country.”
