Navy deploys ‘floating’ government centers

The Navy continues to deploy its vessels as floating government centers and its personnel in typhoon-affected areas for search and rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations.

Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ernesto de Leon had ordered the dispatch of BRP Bacolod City (LC550) along with other two (2) vessels, BRP Subanon (AT291) and DF 317, both of which are now in the Quezon area.

Members and representatives of different national agencies and non-government organizations, in coordination with local executives, could be based aboard these ships. The ship will be the floating government center under the supervision of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in Quezon.

Naval Construction Brigade company, popularly known as the "Seabees," will also board LC 550 to undertake relief and rehabilitation missions in the municipalities of Real, Infanta, and Gen. Nakar, Quezon.

The company will be equipped with a bulldozer, cargo truck, dump trucks, a prime mover with trailer, amphibian truck, grader, M35 trucks, forklift, payloader, backhoe, power saws, four rubber boats, helicopter and personnel to man the equipment. It will lead the Navy’s rehabilitation efforts in the calamity-stricken areas.

The company is capable of constructing temporary evacuation centers, as well as repairing school buildings and other damaged infrastructures needing immediate rehabilitation. It can also undertake clearing operations of roads obstructed by logs and other debris brought about by landslides, using its heavy equipment.

Additionally, two Philippine Navy Assistance and Rescue Teams, one each from the Philippine Fleet and the Naval Construction Brigade company, along with rubber boats will also board LC550. Relief goods will also be distributed by representatives of NDCC aboard the vessel.

BRP Laguna (LT501) has also been recalled from Zamboanga City to transport reliefs goods to Quezon.

It has a load capacity of 1,600 tons and 500 persons.

The Navy enjoins organizations and individuals to send in their donations of relief goods for the calamity victims to the Navy Headquarters on Roxas Boulevard in Manila for transport to the different typhoon-affected areas.