Troops help in Mayon HADR efforts

FILE: “Troops from the (Army’s) 9th Infantry Division have been deployed to conduct humanitarian response and risk reduction operations since Mount Mayon started to show signs of eruption,” Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said late Friday. (PNA Photo)

MANILA — Philippine Army troops are at the forefront of humanitarian and disaster response (HADR) efforts as Mayon Volcano continues to spew ash flumes and lava.

“Troops from the (Army’s) 9th Infantry Division have been deployed to conduct humanitarian response and risk reduction operations since Mount Mayon started to show signs of eruption,” Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said late Friday.

Villanueva said the soldiers had assisted the local governments in evacuating affected residents in the danger zone and in packing and delivering relief goods to the evacuation centers in Albay.

An estimated 19,972 families had to leave their homes for safety, according to reports.

“Our troops are always ready to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response in times of calamities like this. Right now, the Army is still in close coordination with the local government units in Albay, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for constant updates in case there is a need for more response operations,” he said. (PNA)