AFP Units in Albay Taking Active Stance Over Mt. Mayon

BY: LT DARWIN F NIEVA PN
Director, NFSL Public Affairs Office

ON THIS PHOTO:

Mr Cedric Daep, Executive Director of Albay PDCC, presents the Albay Contingency Plan during an emergency meeting convened by the navy in connection with the recent unrest of Mayon Volcano. Mr Ed Laguerta of PHILVOCS and other AFP and PNP units in Albay attended the conference.

LEGAZPI CITY, JULY 11, 2009 – The Armed Forces of the Philippines, PHILVOCS, Albay Provincial Disaster Coordination Council, and other uniform agencies assigned at Albay meets today at Naval Station Legazpi to re-visit contingency plan and to identify respective roles as part of the preparations being made in connection with the heightened alert level of Mayon Volcano.

Naval Forces Southern Luzon convened the coordinating conference at the naval station upon the directive of its Commander, Commodore Joel E Babas AFP. Commodore Babas stressed that the military should be able to continuously synchronize its plan with the local contingency preparation to be more effective and efficient. Being the most senior military officer at the province, the Commodore also commits the military’s unequivocal support to the local governments of Albay to ensure that all countermeasures are set for any eventualities.

The conference was presided over by Capt Romeo Nebres PN(GSC), NAVFORSOL’s Deputy Commander and attended by 901^st Brigade of the Philippine Army, Tactical Operations Group 5 of the Philippine Air Force, Coast Guard District Bicol, Police Regional Office 5, Civil Military Operations Group Southern Luzon of the Navy. Mr Eduardo Laguerta, the Resident Volcanologist of PHILVOCS and Mr Cedric Daep, Executive Director Albay PDCC presented updates on the recent Mayon activities and Provincial Government contingency plan, respectively.

Mr Daep stressed that Albay contingency plan’s primary objective is zero casualty with protection of life and property as its first and second priorities.

In a message send to Mr Daep, the Governor Joey Salceda of Albay and at the same time the Chairman of Albay PDCC lauded the prompt effort and initiative of the military.