Negros Army unit readies for disaster response

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – More than 300 military troopers of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde) are on full alert in preparation for any unwanted disasters that may occur in Negros Occidental.

Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd IBde commander, said 34 Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Response (HADR) teams from the brigade, 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) and 79th IB were on standby for deployment.

The teams were composed of 350 regular soldiers to be deployed in the first to fifth districts of the province and first district of Negros Oriental.

Pasaporte said the Army in Negros is in high state of readiness, preparation, and dedication.

“We are always ready and alert both in times of natural calamities and man-made disasters, since the lives and safety of the people are of paramount importance,” he added.

But he noted that the attainment of this objective is based on a strong collaboration and cooperation among the local government units, agencies and stakeholders.

Earlier, Pasaporte inspected the brigade’s HADR teams and its line battalions.

The HADR teams are trained in basic first aid, light and water search and rescue operations and incident command system by the Philippine Army, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (DRRMO) in order to ensure that the teams are mission capable and fully responsive.

They are also being augmented by reservists and auxiliary units ready reserve forces.

Aside from the HADR related trainings, the teams are also equipped with basic search and rescue equipment which includes but not limited to life jackets, life rings, floating devices, rescue helmets, utility ropes, chainsaws and folding stretchers.

The Army also prepared its military field ambulances, military trucks and utility vehicles to provide necessary mobility assistance.