The Philippine contingent departed for Myanmar on Tuesday to provide crucial humanitarian assistance to areas affected by the recent earthquake in the region.
Before the sun had fully risen at Villamor Air Base, the first batch of 58 personnel from the 131-member Philippine humanitarian aid contingent boarded two C-130 planes, heading to Myanmar for their two-week deployment.
Moreover, the remaining 33 members are scheduled to be transported by a single C-130 aircraft on Wednesday, April 2.
40 personnel from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) are also included in the mission, serving as C-130 aircrew, aeromedical staff, and aircraft security.
The Philippine contingent is composed of Urban Search and Rescue Teams from various agencies including the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), along with private sector partners EDC and APEX Mining.
Additionally, the team includes the Philippine Medical Assistance Team from the Department of Health (DOH) and coordinators from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Equipped with essential rescue tools and medical resources, the personnel are prepared to perform life-saving operations, offer medical care, and deliver critical aid throughout their deployment.
The equipment comprises hydraulic cutters, rotary rescue saws, and specialized tools designed for extracting debris from collapsed buildings.
Meanwhile, OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno mentioned that the team's mission will also include searching for four missing Filipinos, two of whom are believed to be near the site of a collapsed building.
