Philippine News Agency
The Philippine Navy (PN), through Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), has deployed its humanitarian assistance disaster relief (HADR) team to Surigao City.
In a news release on Sunday (Dec. 19), the PN said the team has brought essential relief items for affected residents and will establish an advance command post in Surigao City for control and organization of the Navy’s HADR efforts in the area.
NFEM earlier conducted initial flights on Dec. 17 for an aerial survey to check and assess the condition of seaports and airports in the area.
BRP Hilario Ruiz (PC378) and BRP Rafael Pargas (PC379), under the operational control of NFEM, ferried 26 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) on Dec. 18.
The personnel of PC379 also repaired the charging station at Dinagat Port on Dec 17, to the relief of the local residents and LSIs. The charging station incurred damage during Typhoon Odette’s passage.
PC379 also rendered assistance by letting the LSIs charge their electrical devices from the ship’s power.
Both Navy vessels conducted area assessments in the seaports of Surigao City, Dinagat, and Siargao Island on Dec 17.
The NFEM continues to coordinate with the local governments of Butuan, Surigao, Siargao, and Dinagat Islands and render assistance to the affected residents.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy is also coordinating with the appropriate government agencies, non-government organizations, and civil society organizations for the consolidation of relief items for the affected areas.
The PN is ready to deploy several vessels, namely BRP Tarlac (LD601), BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS25), BRP Bacolod City (LC550), BRP Iwak (LC289), and BRP Agta (LC290) for the government’s HADR efforts. (PNA) – jlo
