Manila: The Philippine Army (PA) has mobilized its reservists to assist in the ongoing rescue and relief operations in communities severely affected by adverse weather conditions.

According to Philippines News Agency, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala announced that the Reserve Command (RESCOM) has been deployed to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) missions. The reservists' involvement has been crucial in the rescue of 30 residents in Fairview, Quezon City, and 20 individuals in Tumana, Marikina on Tuesday.

In Palawan, reservists collaborated with active Army units and civilian volunteers to distribute relief goods to families in the towns of Roxas and El Nido, which have been affected by continuous rains and rising floodwaters due to 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.

The PA spokesperson emphasized that this development underscores the importance of a responsive and capable reserve force to augment regular troops in performing HADR operations during calamities. Dema-ala also noted that this deployment is in line with Republic Act 7077, or the Philippine Reservists Act, highlighting the strategic value of a prepared and deployable reserve component in both peacetime contingencies and national defense.