Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay has lauded Philippine Navy (PN) efforts in mitigating the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the series of typhoons that struck the country in the past weeks.
“Team Philippine Navy’s committed focus and dedication to the fulfillment of the AFP’s mission which has not once faltered in support of the government’s stance in managing the impact of the prevailing pandemic and recent calamities,” he said during his visit Wednesday to PN chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo at the Naval Station Jose Andrada in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Gapay also lauded the PN’s humanitarian and disaster response efforts alongside the rapid delivery of government aid to citizens in dire need of medical attention.
The AFP chief also commended PN units that “stood ready and prepared to deploy their respective disaster response and recovery teams in order to render immediate assistance in the midst of a devastating calamity” following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly.
Earlier, the PN said that four of its largest ships are on standby for possible relief missions to “Rolly” affected areas.
Meanwhile, Bacordo expressed his appreciation of the AFP’s unfaltering support to the PN’s undertakings toward the fulfillment of its mission.
As this developed, the PN on Wednesday night said that the BRP Pangasinan (PS-31) departed Cebu City to transport around 40 tons of relief goods to Legazpi City, Albay, and other parts of the Bicol Region that were devastated by Super Typhoon Rolly’s onslaught last November 1.
“Said relief initiatives were spearheaded by the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) in close coordination with the AFP Central Command through Naval Forces Central (NFC) and from different local government agencies and non-government organizations such as the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. Visayas (PMAAA Inc- Visayas Chapter), Anti-Crime and Community Emergency Response Team (ACCERT) and Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV),” PN public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a statement.
Present during the send-off ceremony were NFC deputy commander, Navy Capt. Emmanuel Eugenio Bello, PRO-7 regional director, Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro and OPAV representative, lawyer Lessandro Maraon, who personally inspected and handed-over the consolidated donation of relief goods consisting of 87 sacks of assorted goods, 80 butane gas stoves, and 500 sacks of rice.
The BRP Pangasinan is commanded by Commander Roldydin Cris Sergio and currently under the operational control of Naval Forces Southern Luzon. The ship was sheltering in Cebu due to the effects of “Rolly”.
“All available assets of the PN will be utilized for relief and rehabilitation efforts intended for the populace who were adversely affected by this calamity. The PN is one with the local government units in bringing prompt, responsive, and effective assistance to the communities affected by this yet another disaster amid the ongoing pandemic,” Roxas said. (PNA)
