RELIEF GOODS. The actual docking in Davao City of the floating vessels, namely MCS 3010 and MRRV 4410 from Zamboanga City, loaded with 600 pails of hygiene kit and relief goods. It will be distributed to earthquake-stricken areas in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato as part of the Philippine Coast Guard's Task Force Tabang Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of PCG TF Tabang Mindanao)
DAVAO CITY -- After the series of strong earthquakes that struck various parts of Mindanao, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) formed Task Force (TF) Tabang Mindanao to help conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) to the affected areas, particularly in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato.
In an interview on Saturday, Commodore Gregorio Adel Jr., commander of TF Tabang Mindanao, said the group was instructed to immediately deploy all its available resources to help conduct HADR in the affected provinces.
“We have to make sure that we can give their needs and we are expected to have a speedy action to respond to it,” Adel said.
Commodore Joseph Coyme, designated officer of the PCG National Headquarters, asked permission from Mayor Sara Z. Duterte to put all the resources and relief goods in the city since it is the most strategic place having the support system and accessibility of seaports and roads.
“HADR is everyone’s concern. It includes the utilization of all government equipment, floating assets and all available means to immediately attend to the needs of the victims,” Coyme said.
The PCG deployment of assets, resources and manpower includes 10 boom trucks from Manila loaded with relief goods which are expected to arrive in the city on Monday (November 4).
“These boom trucks have a hydraulic arm which is also capable of helping the clearing operations in the affected areas,” Coyme added.
Two shiploads coming from Zamboanga City, with 600 pails of hygiene kit and relief goods intended for the earthquake-affected areas, were unloaded at the Sasa Wharf, here on Sunday.
The PCG also provided six ambulances in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).
“About 10 doctors and 12 nurses will be in the area to conduct medical mission,” Adel said.
Apart from the logistics, PCG also provided three search and rescue (SAR) dogs to help in the landslide areas and two explosive sniffing dogs.
The TF Tabang Mindanao, he said, harmonizes and coordinates its efforts to the different regional offices of Office of the Civil Defense, Regional and Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils, Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police. (PNA)
