Army in Isabela assures readiness to respond to calamities

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 18): Army in Isabela assures readiness to respond to calamities

The 5th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) based in Gamu town assured its readiness and quick response of rescue units in times of calamities in its area of operations.

The PA’s 5th ID area of operations covers the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera.

Col. Loreto Magundayao, 5th ID, PA Civil Military Operations Battalion commander, said that his men are on standby mode to respond to emergencies especially in times of calamities.

Last week, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has declared the official entry of rainy season in the country prompting the army rescue unit to be on standby for any eventualities.

When rainy season occurs in the province, northern Isabela towns are prone to floods as this province is considered as catch basin of rain waters from the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Ifugao through river tributaries going to the Cagayan river.

Magundayao said that this is why the northern Isabela towns are the concentration of rescue operations of rescue units of the army and other rescue units of the province.

The towns that are prone to floods are Gamu, Naguilian, Ilagan, Tumauini, Santo Thomas, Santa Maria, Cabagan, and San Pablo.

Magundayao said that before the declaration of rainy season by PAGASA, his men have prepared themselves to become quick in responding to victims of calamities.

The soldiers of 5th ID, PA, particularly from the Civil Military Operations Battalion have been engaged before in rescue operations in calamity-affected local government units in its area of operations.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=481371435324