MANILA, Philippines – Military
field commanders were ordered to submit a list of necessary equipment they need
for a disaster rescue operation to include in the government’s shopping list.
The order was given by Defense Secretary Voltair Gazman on Tuesday.
Gazmin said the list
would be sent to headquarters and the Defense department for procurement so
that soldiers could respond to disaster rescue operations quickly and properly.
On his visit to the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) headquarter in
Tarlac, Gazmin said that the military must be able to appropriately respond to
assist the Filipino every time there is a calamity in the country.
Gazmin is doing rounds
in different camps to check the preparation of military troops in responding to
calamities during the rainy and typhoon seasons.
The military has been
acquiring equipment including water vessels and especial air crafts to advance
its disaster preparedness, territorial defense purposes and response capabilities. Among the assets to
be acquired for disaster response include two C-130 planes from US, UH-1 helicopters and strategic Sealift vessels
which are going to be delivered next year.
NOLCOM chief Lt. Gen.
Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr. guaranteed Gazmin that his military troops are prepared
to help people in times of disasters.
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| Photo credit: ibtimes |
Trinidad said that there
is a committed unit per area in NOLCOM to assist our people and those units are
in close coordination with our civilian counterparts for quick and fitting
response. The system was tested and it really worked during the typhoon Glenda
which injured the country two weeks ago, leaving more than 100 persons dead.
Armed Forces chief Gen.
Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. had earlier sent his military commanders in central
and northern Luzon to designate an area inside the camps as an evacuation
center for typhoon victims.
