The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday placed its humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams on red alert for possible relief missions amid the expected onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).

According to PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, 149 disaster response teams composed of 1,946 regular soldiers, reservists and Cafgu Active Auxiliary (CAA) members are ready for deployment in the 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions, which cover Bicol and Eastern Visayas, the two regions that lie on the direct path of Opong.

“In addition, 1,610 soldiers, reservists and CAA members are placed under red alert in various Army units to augment rescue and relief efforts across Luzon,” Dema-ala said in a statement.

The official also said the PA has embedded personnel in various command centers of provincial and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to coordinate its efforts with other partner disaster response agencies.

“The PA also continues to assist in relief and recovery work in communities that bore the brunt of Super Typhoon Nando earlier this week,” Dema-ala said.

The PA’s 5th Infantry Division has deployed eight disaster response teams composed of 81 soldiers with three military trucks for the relief and recovery work across Northern Luzon, the region hardest hit by Nando (international name Ragasa).

PA chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, meanwhile, assured the public of their operational readiness and commitment of their HADR units in serving the people in times of calamities.

“As an integral part of your dedicated Army, our HADR units are ready to provide essential support and immediate assistance to communities affected by these calamities,” he said. (PNA)