AFP to Participate in Pacific Unity 12-6

CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – In time of the aftermath brought by the torrential rains of the Southwest Monson or “Habagat”, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) together with the United States Pacific Air Force (PACAF) will conduct a joint and combined Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) and Civil Military Operations (CMO) in the province of Pampanga and Tarlac from August 20 to September 20, to enhance the response capability of both armed forces during times of disasters and calamities.

This joint undertaking is in line with the Pacific Unity 12-6, a U.S. Pacific Command-funded humanitarian assistance mission. It is a bilateral and joint engineering civic action program conducted in cooperation with the provincial government of Pampanga and Tarlac.

The AFP through the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) will provide personnel and mission-essential equipment in the conduct of the HCA/CMO. Joining the month-long activity are the Philippine National Police, Local Government Units, Local Government Agencies, and Non-Government Organizations.

The PU 12-6 intends to conduct Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) and Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) in an exercise scenario to perform joint and combined response in a mass casualty situation. It will formally start through a Ground Breaking/Opening Ceremony at Cacutud Elementary School wherein a school building will be constructed and rehabilitation and repair of classrooms will be conducted.

Military doctors and dentists from the AFP Reserve Command together with the participating agencies and partner stakeholders will also conduct Cooperative Health Engagement (CHE) which includes MEDCAP and Dental Civic Action Program (DENCAP) in Villa Bacolor, Tarlac City on September 15. Subject Mater Expertise Exchange (SMEEs) on Master Base Planning, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HA/DR) and Table Top Exercise on HA/DR will also be held at Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga and Clark Air Base, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Just recently, the AFP took part in the Pacific Partnership 2012, the largest annual humanitarian and civic assistance mission in the Pacific sponsored by the US Pacific Fleet. Over 20,000 residents of Samar benefitted from a series of MEDCAP, DENCAP, and ENCAP last June.

By the end of the PP12, four new classrooms were completed and built in Brgy. Palanit, San Isidro, Northern Samar and Brgy. Tambongan Elementary School Gandara, Samar. Military engineers also renovated and repaired Health Centers, an existing structure, and school play grounds around Samar.

Last April, the AFP hosted the 28th Philippines-United States Balikatan which focus on HA/DR. The activity sought to identify gaps and solutions from previous disaster situations that were addressed through discussions with representatives from foreign disaster response systems.

“The Pacific Unity 12-6 comes very timely as we continue to undertake significant efforts to strengthen our humanitarian, disaster response, and civic action programs in times of distraught like the recent calamity caused by ‘Habagat.’ This is another opportunity for us to enhance our capabilities in ensuring a safe and secure environment for our people,” AFP Chief of Staff, General Jessie D. Dellosa said.

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PAO - AFP | August 11, 2012 | Article Link