By Ronron
May 2, 2007
The Philippine Navy demonstrated on Wednesday its readiness to respond to any major disasters at sea even if it admitted to be lacking in equipment.
In preparation for the expected onset of the typhoon season next month, the Philippine Navy held yesterday at its Naval Base in Sangley Point, Cavite City a Disaster Response Static Display and Capability Demonstration.
The activity was participated in by members of the Philippine Navy Disaster Response Task Group (DRTG) 90.5 based at the Cavite Naval Base.
The participants included a total of 290 personnel and crew members from the BRP Quezon Patrol Ship 70, BRP Bacolod City Landing Ship Tank (LST) 550, BRP Dagupan City LST 551, Naval Special Operations Group, Naval Air Group, Naval Fire Station, Naval Assistance and Rescue Team, and Naval Hospital.
“We are showing what we can do, what these people can do in response to maritime disasters in general,” said Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino, vice commander of the Philippine Navy and commander of the DRTG 90.5.
Tolentino inspected first the members of the DRTG 90.5 before he was shown of the group’s capability to respond to an incident when a vessel catches fire at sea, and when people are drifted in the deep waters.
During the exercise, BRP Quezon served as the vessel in distress, while BRP Bacolod City acted as responding vessel, providing water to put off the fire. A rubber boat also approached BRP Quezon to safely secure some passengers and provide medical team to those in need.
A chopper also flew from BRP Bacolod City to conduct aerial survey on BRP Quezon and assess what other assistance can be extended.
Meanwhile, at the exercise concerning people drifted at sea, the Navy showed its readiness to respond by sending out a chopper at the site to drop off life-saving equipment, and a diver to consolidate all victims.
A patrol boat and rubber boat then arrived to save the victims and bring them to shore, where a medical team awaited them. Upon arrival, the victims were given first aid treatment and then brought to a waiting ambulance that took them to the nearest clinic or hospital.
Tolentino pointed out that what is important in every disaster is that the information must be relayed as quickly as possible so that the response teams, like those of the Navy, can arrive at the site the earliest possible time.
He said that despite the lack of equipment, the Navy is prepared to respond to disasters, with the “sincere dedication” of their personnel to help people in distress, as demonstrated in past incidents like the landslides in Quezon province in the year 2004, and last year’s Reming typhoon that hit the Bicol Region.
“We are also showing that your Armed Forces is not only involved in war fighting but also in development, and in helping our countrymen,” Tolentino said.
He said the Navy currently needs one helicopter in addition to its two existing choppers, more islanders, and rubber boats that can be used in times of disaster.
“These rubber boats can be used for small unit operations. But at the same time, it can be used for search and rescue… We have to have some more of that,” Tolentino said.
Currently, he said the Navy is refurbishing two islanders, one of which is expected to be finished this year.
He said he is also expecting the Cavite Naval Base commander, Commodore Ramon Punzalan, to make a request for the refurbishing of another helicopter so it can be added to the existing choppers being used.
As for the rubber boats, he said the Navy plans to get three more for this year.
Tolentino said the refurbishing and acquisition of these equipment will be sourced from the P10 billion worth Capability Upgrade Program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He said half of said program is allotted for the Philippine Navy.
“We have to upgrade some of our aircrafts. We have to buy boats. We have to have fast craft boats. And then we will have to have equipment for our Marines like automatic grenade launcher, squad automatic weapons, sniper rifles, and other stuffs,” Tolentino explained.
Told how he could say that the Navy is prepared to respond to disasters when he admitted that there is lack of equipment, Tolentino replied: “Well, not all organizations are fully equipped. So, we have to live with our limitations. But what I can boast of is the resolve of our personnel to do the job even if they lack equipment.”
“We cannot hope to really get all the equipment but we will work with what we have. That is the commitment of our men,” he added./DMS
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment