Kalinaw News: AFP gathers Affiliated Reserve Units to advance Disaster Response Capabilities

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 29, 2021): AFP gathers Affiliated Reserve Units to advance Disaster Response Capabilities

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday gathered the Commanders of its Affiliated Reserve Units (ARUs) from around the country to test their disaster response capabilities.

The AFP ARUs Commanders Convention 2021 held on 28-29 October was held through a combination of face face-to-face and video teleconferencing at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo.

The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs (OJ9) facilitated the event which carried the theme “Developing a Credible and Responsive AFP Affiliated Reserve Units Amidst Challenging Times”.

“This convention gives us a great opportunity to practice unity in diversity – integrating different units of different levels of various private companies and institutions for the purpose of having a more defined concept of employment and support of the ARUs,” said Major General Eugenio Hernandez, Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs.

The activity sought to advance the strategic initiatives, significant policies and directives pertaining to the AFP’s Reserve Force Development. It also organized ARUs to test its capabilities in performing their roles during mobilization and utilization in a given Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) scenario, dubbed as “The Big One”.

The activity was participated in by AFP ARU Commanders nationwide coming from Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, and AFP Reserve Command as well as Reservist and Retiree Affairs Officers from the Major Services and Unified Commands.

Part of the convention was the levelling brief on the AFP Contingency Plan “Pagligtas”. In the plan, the AFP along with its reserve units shall provide necessary assistance to the HADR operation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) in the event of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake dubbed as “The Big One”.

The ARU capabilities were showcased in a video presentation shown in the second day of the convention. Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator attended as the guest of honor and speaker.

The ARUs have unique roles, assets and capabilities that could provide essential services to the AFP within its areas of responsibilities during times of national emergency.

“Despite receiving no compensation, Professionals in the reserve force remain committed and dependable in advancing the national interest and well-being of our citizens. They are not simply force multipliers; they are important component and partners in various non-combat operations and activities especially in nation-building and humanitarian assistance,” AFP Chief of Staff General Jose Faustino Jr said.

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