The Philippine Army is upbeat about the enhanced disaster response capability of soldiers in Eastern Visayas after a three-day Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response training.
In a statement on Monday, the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division said 120 soldiers and some personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection rescue unit completed the training from May 21 to 23 as a proactive approach.
The training includes academic lectures and simulations of large-scale disaster scenarios, including high-angle and mountain search and rescue, urban search and rescue, real-time medical evacuation operations, and survival knot-tying. These activities aimed to improve inter-unit coordination and strengthen overall disaster preparedness.
“This training, as part of the Pagparig-on (strengthening) exercise, is a manifestation of our commitment to protect lives and communities through shared responsibility. With this training, we are confident that we will be able to save more lives, as we are now more prepared than ever,” said Col. Ronald M. Illana, commander of the Philippine Army’s Joint Task Group-Tacloban.
Office of Civil Defense Eastern Visayas regional director Lord Byron Torrecarion emphasized the importance of a proactive and anticipatory approach to disaster preparedness in the region, highlighting that capacity building for uniformed and reserve responders plays a crucial role in protecting communities and reinforcing national security in times of crisis.
“As natural disasters continue to grow in severity, this Pagparig-on exercise reinforces our willingness to serve not only as defenders of the nation in times of conflict and peace, but also as first responders during natural calamities,” Torrecarion said in a statement.
The region is one of the most calamity-prone areas in the country due to its geographic location, facing the Pacific Ocean in the eastern portion and being within the Pacific Ring of Fire.