Members of the International Search and Rescue Advisory
Group (INSARAG) visited the Philippine Army (PA) headquarters in Fort
Bonifacio, Taguig City last April 6 to assess and evaluate its disaster
response preparedness and capability.
INSARAG is a network of countries and organizations
dedicated to urban search and rescue and operational field coordination.
PA chief-of-staff Brig. Gen. Robert Arevalo welcomed the
INSARAG Scoping Mission Team, which was headed by Yosuke Okita.
"We are not here to judge you. We are here to support
you," Okita said.
In his speech, Arevalo underscored the importance of
increasing professional excellence in disaster response and humanitarian
assistance.
"Our country will greatly benefit in this INSARAG
mission, being a country besiege by typhoons and disasters yearly. This INSARAG
capacity assessment mission will definitely widen our understanding and
appreciation on the future of disaster response and the needed strategies that
will further enhance capabilities," he added.
The 525th Engineering Combat Battalion, the PA's designated
disaster response unit, conducted a capability demonstration to showcase its
urban search and rescue capabilities.
Meanwhile, the PA continues to develop, organize, train,
equip, support and sustain Army forces for the conduct of prompt and sustained
humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
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