2 C-130s now conducting relief missions for 'Yolanda' victims in the Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): 2 C-130s now conducting relief missions for 'Yolanda' victims in the Visayas

Two Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) are now conducting relief missions for the people of the Visayas who suffered from the brunt of super typhoon "Yolanda" Friday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday the aircraft are transporting communications equipment, water purifiers, and other relief goods.

The first flight at 7:30 a.m. Saturday bound for Tacloban City airport carried a power generator and AFP communications equipment to help government agencies operate amid the loss of electricity and communication facilities in the area.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director and Undersecretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development Corazon J. Soliman, and PAF chief Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino G. Dela Cruz were also scheduled to board the same aircraft, along with medical teams from the AFP and 12,000 pounds of various relief goods.

A second C-130 aircraft left shortly after carrying more relief goods and an AFP communications van.

Earlier, AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista cancelled his scheduled flight to Zamboanga City to give way to the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response efforts in the Visayas.

Bautista was supposed to attend the turnover ceremony of the Western Mindanao Command for retiring Lt. Gen. Rey C. Ardo and the awarding of AFP troops who participated in the successful defense of Zamboanga City last September.

An Incident Command Post and Radio Contact Center was established at the Tacloban City Police Station headed by Brig. Gen. Jet B. Velarmino, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin and Secretary of Interior and Local Government Manuel A. Roxas II are also on site.

Meanwhile, clearing operations at the Tacloban Airport and other major roads are ongoing.

On Friday, Bautista ordered the Central Command and Southern Luzon Command to prioritize disaster response efforts and make available all of their air and naval assets for immediate assessment of damage, rescue, and transport operations.

He also ordered other Area Commanders and their DRTUs to support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) efforts when requested. Helicopters are also on standby for relief transport, rescue, and damage assessment operations.

AFP units are also supporting ongoing evacuations led by the Office of Civil Defense and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils in Visayas and Southern Luzon.

The AFP Central Command also tapped its units, including the 3rd Infantry Division, 8th Infantry Division, Joint Task Force 7, 2nd Air Division, Naval Forces Central, and the 53rd Engineering Brigade to support HADR operations in their respective areas of responsibility.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=584938