Manila: Philippine officials sent off the Malaysian government disaster management team at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday, expressing profound gratitude for the swift response to the country’s cry for help. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) led the departure ceremony to honor the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), which played a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance following the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) last week.
According to Philippines News Agency, the mission, conducted from Oct. 26, involved the deployment of a Eurocopter EC725 Caracal long-range transport helicopter, operated by a team of 16 crew members. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Malaysian government for their swift response, highlighting the invaluable support during recovery efforts and the strong partnership between the two nations. Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the s
ignificant difference RMAF’s contributions made in recovery efforts for the victims in the Bicol Region, the hardest hit by the tropical cyclone.
The send-off was attended by several key officials, including Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño, PAF commanding general; Maj. Gen. Aristotle Gonzalez, Chief of Air Staff; Maj. Gen. Pablo Rustria Jr., commander of the Air Installation and Base Development Command; and Norjufri Nizar Edrus, deputy head of mission of the Embassy of Malaysia in the Philippines. In addition, a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 delivered 1,500 kitchen kits and 1,500 shelter-grade plastic sheets to Bicol International Airport, while two Indonesian National Armed Forces helicopters participated in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. The OCD highlighted the collaborative effort, underscoring the strength of partnerships within ASEAN.
Meanwhile, multibillion pesos worth of international aid poured in from the European Union (EU), United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Taiwan in respo
nse to the devastation left by Kristine. The EU approved 1.5 million euros in humanitarian aid to Bicol and Calabarzon, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office donated USD150,000, and the UAE government pledged 33,000 boxes of family food packs and drinking water to affected regions. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that over 2 million families have been affected by Kristine and Leon, with significant damage to agriculture and infrastructure.
The NDRRMC has reactivated its Inter-Agency Coordinating Cell (IACC) to oversee emergency operations, led by Teodoro. Operating round the clock from the OCD Command Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the IACC serves as a one-stop shop for emergency operations, monitoring, and coordination with partners, stakeholders, and implementing agencies.
