Philippine Army to establish communication center in Estancia town

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 10): Philippine Army to establish communication center in Estancia town

The Regional Disaster Risk  Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)-6 said that the Philippine Army (PA) is set to establish today a communication center in Estancia, Iloilo that would serve as communication link between the provincial government and concerned agencies and affected areas in the northern part of the province.

Lieutenant Colonel Vener Morga, Brigade Ex-O of the 301 Brigade, 3ID of the PA based in Camp Hernandez in Dingle Iloilo, said that there is a need for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to establish the communication center in the area particularly in Estancia.

The communication center will provide link for typhoon-affected local government units (LGUs) and residents in northern Iloilo to contact the provincial government and other concerned agencies here for immediate assistance.

Morga said that this was requested by Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias since there was no means for communication for two days already in that part of the province.

“Before the typhoon, the Signal Battalion of the Philippine Army has already set up communication centers in the region but due to the turn of events during the onslaught of the typhoon, signal was lost in Roxas City in Capiz, Kalibo in Aklan, and in northern Iloilo,” he said.

He also said that the first established additional communication centers were in Roxas and Kalibo but none yet in northern Iloilo.

“We did our best to obtain a Harris Manpack radio to be augmented by one URC-187 radio as alternate and these equipment are already on the way,” said Morga.

He added that they are just waiting for additional personnel from Jamindan, Capiz to augment their personnel from Dingle, Iloilo.

He further said that once the team is formed, they would move from Dingle to Estancia and be able to set up a communication center by 3:00 p.m. and if roads would be passable.

“Once the communication center will be established, they will call up OCD radio here and I would contact Provincial Administrator Banias to inform Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.” he said.

The provincial government is also planning to inform the media and the LGUS in northern Iloilo that they could already course through whatever needs they may have through the Estancia Municipal Hall once the communication center is completely set up.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2421384063043