Humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams stand in formation during a mustering at the 2nd Infantry Division’s headquarters in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal on July 23, 2024. Photos courtesy of Philippine Army.
FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – Philippine Army Major Units (PAMUs) in Luzon readied humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams for deployment amid the combined effects of Typhoon “Carina” and the southwest monsoon (habagat) on July 23, 2024.
The 2nd, 5th and 7th Infantry Divisions placed 1,572 troops on standby, including 119 land assets and 6 waterborne assets for rescue and relief efforts in flooded and landslide hit communities. Luzon-based Regional Community Defense Groups under the Reserve Command, Philippine Army (RCPA) also marshalled reserve units for HADR deployment.
The Philippine Army leadership directed units in typhoon-affected areas to coordinate with regional, provincial and municipal disaster and risk reduction management offices to form part of the Incident Command System (ICS) that are activated within their respective Areas of Operations and Responsibilities. Typhoon Carina, the third tropical cyclone to affect the country this year, is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on the morning of Thursday, July 24, according to the state weather bureau.
The Philippine Army assures the public of its HADR teams’ operational readiness in assisting typhoon-affected communities in close cooperation with national government agencies, local government units, and other responders and will remain committed to lend a helping hand to our countrymen in the calamity-stricken areas of the country in this time of crisis. (PA)
