Manila: The Philippine Army (PA) has mobilized its reservists to participate in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in communities severely impacted by the adverse weather conditions.
According to Philippines News Agency, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala announced that the Reserve Command (RESCOM) was called upon to deploy its reservists for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) missions. This deployment played a crucial role in the rescue of 30 residents in Fairview, Quezon City, and 20 individuals in Tumana, Marikina, on Tuesday.
In Palawan, the reservists collaborated with active Army units and civilian volunteers to distribute relief goods to families in Roxas and El Nido towns. These areas have been affected by continuous rains and rising floodwaters caused by the southwest monsoon, locally known as "habagat," Dema-ala reported.
"Additionally, reservists assisted in repacking and transporting relief supplies from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region III warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga, demonstrating their vital role in the logistics chain during emergencies," he added.
Dema-ala emphasized that this development highlights the importance of a responsive and capable reserve force to supplement regular troops performing HADR operations during times of calamities. The deployment aligns with Republic Act 7077, also known as the Philippine Reservists Act, which underscores the strategic value of a prepared and deployable reserve component in both peacetime contingencies and national defense.
