By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will deploy two helicopter units to help communities in the Bicol Region that remain isolated in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).
“Sir, the 205th Helicopter Wing and the 505th Search and Rescue Group are deploying all rotary assets already to the area,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in a situation briefing at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Friday.
The President had directed military and uniformed services to fully mobilize manpower and resources for relief operations.
Teodoro also said the PAF will maintain an “air bridge” so that all the affected communities can be provided with the aid and personnel they urgently need.
He also cited the need to “develop multiple supply lines” to ensure continuous relief transport as some areas may be affected by an incoming weather system.
“Air bridge” refers to a route connecting two places that makes it possible for the resupply of equipment and supplies via aircraft.
“And may I say also, Mr. President, that the Philippine Air Force already was able to (go) into Naga and to Legazpi. And we will continue the air bridge, to take advantage of any gaps in the weather,” Teodoro said.
3 C-130 aircraft deployed for Bicol relief ops
In a separate statement, the PAF said it swiftly mobilized three C-130 cargo aircraft to support ongoing rescue and relief operations in the Bicol Region that was heavily hit by “Kristine”.
“As part of its mission, the PAF transported assorted relief supplies from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), utilizing one C-130 aircraft that departed from Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental, to Bicol International Airport. Another C-130 aircraft was also deployed by the PAF, to deliver relief supplies from Davao to Bicol International Airport, further aiding storm-affected communities,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said.
In a separate humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission, a C-130 cargo aircraft transported 14 rubber and fiber boats equipped with outboard motors from Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay.
“This flight also facilitated the deployment of Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) teams from the Tactical Operations Wing Southern Luzon and the Philippine Army’s 525th Combat Engineer Battalion,” Castillo said.
She added that the PAF’s prompt response and mobilization of resources underscore its unwavering commitment to providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during times of calamities.
