Saturday, December 31, 2011

Troopers eyeing purchase of emergency equipment


THE Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division is planning to purchase several pieces of emergency equipment in 2012 for immediate response to calamities following Tropical Storm Sendong that hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities on December 17.
Brigade General Ricardo Rainer Cruz III, assistant division commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said their first plan for 2012 is to purchase rubber boats, first aid resources, hand-cracked torch with LED lights, jumper cables, and other disaster equipment that will be used in rescue operations.
"Most of the time our troops are already in the area of the incident, but our problem is we don't have the equipment to use, so ang mangyari hihintayin pa namin ‘yung rescue operations for the materials," Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon V. Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said.
Cruz said they will request such equipment from their higher headquarters so in case of some calamities, they have the materials for the rescue and relief operation. He added they will also establish a search and rescue team for emergency purposes.
The military’s lack of equipment, however, has not prevented them from assisting victims of calamities, Major Ma. Christina Rosa Manuel, executive officer of the Civil Military Operation Battalion (CMOBN) of the 10th Infantry Division, said.
For “Sendong” survivors alone, the 10th Infantry Division gathered around 75 tons of foodstuff, drinking water, medicines, clothing, and footwear from those who responded to their Bayanihan Call. The relief assistance was delivered last December 23.
Another Pagtinabangay Caravan with eleven M35 trucks and two Forward cargo vans were sent to Iligan City on December 26. They also delivered relief supplies for their soldiers who were affected in flash floods.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that around 6,200 families with 29,730 individuals are currently staying at evacuation centers in those two cities alone.
The 10th Infantry Division also provided support to the flood victims in Davao del Norte. After two days of heavy rains, three rivers triggered flooding in eight barangays in Kapalong town, while the Bingcungan River flooded on barangay in Carmen and two barangays in Tagum City. (Ivy C. Tejano)
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Friday, December 30, 2011

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