Aside from ensuring that the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) has sufficient resources to defend the country, the military's ongoing
modernization program is also aimed improving the AFP's humanitarian assistance
and disaster response (HADR) capability.
This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Lt.
Col. Harold Cabunoc Thursday.
"The AFP Modernization Program is focused on
territorial defense operations (TDO), and HADR as the military gradually shifts
from internal security operations," he said.
The Army, Air Force and Navy will be geared towards this TDO
campaign/effort as part of the modernization and capability upgrade under
medium and long term development plans.
During the Aquino administration, a total of 46
modernization projects (more than the combined completed projects of the
previous administrations) were completed, Cabunoc said.
"The AFP has gained appreciation and recognition not
only from the beleaguered communities affected by the typhoons and the national
government but as well as from the international community who commended the
whole Philippine government for its successful HADR operations in the recent
calamities that affected the country," he said.
The AFP’s HADR gains this year were highlighted during its
disaster response operations in areas affected by Typhoon "Ruby".
The AFP helped in preparations, particularly in
pre-positioning of relief goods, rescue and clearing equipment; and assisting
in pre-emptive evacuations.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) deployed 18 aircraft including
two C-130 aircraft and two Sokol choppers that transported a total of 629,274
lbs of relief goods to affected areas.
The Navy also deployed six of its ships that transported
38.5 tons of relief goods while the Army utilized 173 of its ground assets to
assist in HADR Operations.
The AFP also conducted information drives to educate
residents of low-lying communities about the threat posed by storm surges and
flooding.
"After the storm, our soldiers commenced with the
aerial recon, clearing, rescue, and relief operations of 186,694 families or
868,624 persons who were displaced and eventually moved inside 3,003 evacuation
centers," Cabunoc stressed.
"Furthermore, the AFP is continuously enhancing its
HADR capability through the improvement of its operational readiness, training
of its personnel and procuring of HADR equipment," he added.
HADR has now become a major role for the AFP due to the
impact of climate change which is one of the global challenges the AFP is
currently facing.
Cabunoc said the AFP will continue to ensure the security
and safety of our communities including business establishments, the investment
climate for economic development, and other opportunities for progress and
prosperity.
Guided by the IPSP "Bayanihan" and the AFP
Transformation Roadmap, the AFP will continue to reap success from all its
operations as it looks forward to finally achieving the common goal of a just
and lasting peace and stability for the whole country, Cabunoc concluded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=720917
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