Manila: The Philippine Army (PA) has deployed units and assets to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) missions in areas hit by Super Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa) in Northern Luzon. In a statement Tuesday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said 81 personnel and three military trucks were deployed to assist in rescue and relief operations in the coastal towns of Maconacon, Divilacan and Palanan in Isabela; San Fernando City in La Union; Santa Ana in Cagayan; Lagangilang in Abra; and Baguio City. A total of 21 personnel, meanwhile, are taking part in relief operations across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

According to Philippines News Agency, PA responders are working around the clock with national government agencies and local government units to ensure the safety and well-being of affected citizens. Apart from those already on the ground, some 4,909 soldiers and reservists are also ready for deployment to assist in HADR efforts in various regions if needed. Dema-ala said the Army’s HADR teams remain ready and committed to delivering swift and coordinated disaster response efforts across the country as another tropical cyclone threatens to hit Luzon within the week.

The new weather disturbance that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday afternoon was locally named Opong. In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said they have placed on standby 220 disaster response task units that can be deployed for “Nando” HADR missions. These teams are composed of 2,174 PAF regular personnel and reservists and supported by 111 land vehicles, 30 water assets, and 45 aircraft that are strategically positioned in Northern Luzon, National Capital Region, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Palawan, she said.