FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The 525th Engineer Combat “Forerunner” Battalion of the Combat Engineer Regiment has intensified rescue and relief operations for families in Santa Ana, Cagayan, affected by successive typhoons on November 15, 2024.
The Forerunner Battalion’s Light Urban Search and Rescue Team collaborated with government responders to distribute 238 relief packs to families in Barangays Diora Zinungan and Rapuli.
They also rescued 14 residents from severe flooding in Barangays Samok, Bato, and Marede.
The Army leadership has reassured the public of the operational readiness and commitment of its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) teams.
These teams are working to aid families and provide support to communities devastated by the recent storms impacting Luzon.
The 9th Infantry Division has deployed 81 HADR teams across Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate to support search and rescue operations in the Bicol Region.
The 7th Infantry Division has dispatched three Disaster Response Units (DRU) to assist in repacking relief goods at the Global Aseana Park 2, DSWD Region 3 Warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga.
The 2nd Infantry Division has deployed rescue teams aboard three KM450s to assist in Buenavista and San Rafael towns in Quezon and Capalonga, Camarines Norte.
The 59th Infantry Battalion has also sent two military trucks to support rescue operations led by the Quezon provincial government.
Additionally, Philippine Army Major Units have prepared 534 Search and Rescue and Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) teams for HADR operations throughout Luzon.
HADR Teams on Standby Alert:
- 525th CEB: 2 Light USAR Teams
- 51EBde: 1 DRU Team
- ASR: 1 DRU Team
- CMOR: 1 DRU Team
- HHSG, PA: 2 SRR Teams
- SEB: 2 DRU Squads
- 9ID: 68 SRR Teams
- 5ID: 143 SRR Teams
- 7ID: 83 SRR Teams
- 8ID: 164 SRR Teams
- 4ID: 2 Platoons, 1 DRRO Team
- 2ID: 44 SRR Teams
- SFR(A): 4 SRR Teams
- FSRR: 3 WASAR Teams
- RESCOM: 1 SRR Team
- IMCOM: 3 SRR Teams
- AVnR: 3 ERP Teams
- ARMOR, DIV: 8 SRR Teams