AMERICAN and Filipino troops have built a humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) facility in Batanes for the use of the provincial government in responding to disasters, the Philippine Army reported yesterday.
Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said the facility, situated in Itbayat town, was turned over to local government officials last Monday.
Dema-ala said that US and Philippine troops constructed the facility starting last May 11 as part of the Humanitarian Civic Assistance activities of the recently-concluded Salaknib exercise.
The Philippine Army said the Salaknib exercise was mainly “geared at strengthening the interoperability of Filipino and American ground forces in a spectrum of military operations.”
“The supply warehouse was built for the local government unit of Batanes to support its HADR capabilities in times of disaster that will serve as a storage warehouse for relief goods and other HADR essential supplies,” said Dema-ala.
“The construction of the HADR warehouse is integral to disaster preparedness and response strategies, enabling effective management, distribution, and utilization of resources critical for saving lives and mitigating the impact of disasters on affected communities,” added Dema-ala.
Dema-ala said the facility was built at the request of LGU officials.
He said the facility will not be used for traditional military operations, stressing that it is intended for HADR use.
He surmised that Army soldiers might use the facility during disaster response operations if authorized by the LGU.
“If we request and authorized by the LGU,” said Dema-ala. “If our responders go the area, they may store their equipment there.
“It’s going to be under the exclusive supervision of the LGU,” Dema-ala said.
