FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City — Philippine Army Engineers have expedited post-Typhoon Kristine rehabilitation efforts in Batangas through the deployment of advanced equipment.
On November 19, 2024, the 525th Combat Engineer “Forerunner” Battalion, in coordination with the 514th Construction Engineer Battalion and 202nd Infantry Brigade, dispatched a specialized bridging team to Agoncillo, Batangas.
The 40-member team, equipped with four Heavy Mechanized Bridge Systems (HMBS), restored disrupted roads affected by floods and landslides, according to Lt. Col. Michael Rey Bautista, commanding officer of the 525CEBn.
Each HMBS unit can span gaps of up to 60 meters and support loads of up to 50 metric tons, enabling swift recovery operations in heavily damaged areas.
The 59th Infantry Battalion supported the effort by providing security assistance to the bridging team and municipal workers from Agoncillo.
The Philippine Army commended the Forerunner team’s contributions as part of its modernization efforts and commitment to immediate disaster response.
Army leadership also emphasized sustained improvements in humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) capabilities through advanced technology and specialized training.