Navy Alerts Anew its Disaster Relief Response Teams for "Pepeng"

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Thursday, 01 October 2009

As Typhoon "Pepeng" threatens to hit Northern Luzon, "We have placed all Philippine Navy units on 'Red Alert' and prepositioned in key areas", assures Commodore Jose Luis Alano, the Commander of Naval Forces Northern Luzon.

A Disaster Relief Response Team (DRRT) was fielded in Cagayan Province, 2 Teams in La Union, a Team in Pangasinan, and 2 Teams (from Naval Education and Training Command) in Zambales. Each DRRT is manned by an Officer and 15 Enlisted Personnel. They are equipped with rubber boats, portable generators, life saving kits, and M35 trucks.

They have also put on alert status Naval Reservists residing in Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, and Nueva Ecija. They have undergone disaster response trainings which are the expertise presently needed.

Philippine Navy units are pre-organized and equipped as DRRTs and are suited for deployment at a moment’s notice. These DRRTs may be attached with local National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the latter being primarily tasked to respond to emergencies. (End)