‘Yolanda’ survivors get help from five military forces

By: Bong Lozada - 10 years ago

Residents protect themselves from strong wind created by a US Navy Sea Hawk helicopter from the US aircraft carrier USS George Washington as it takes off upon dropping relief supplies for villagers isolated by super typhoon Yolanda on Nov.16, 2013 on Manicani island, Eastern Samar. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Survivors of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” would get a massive support starting Wednesday as five military forces are set to swoop down to Eastern Visayas and rebuild what was lost after the tragedy.

Armed Forces from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea converged on Saturday to discuss the start of the Pacific Partnership 2014 Civic Action Programs.

Major Amado Gutierrez, in a statement, said Tuesday that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, United States Armed Forces and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces would spearhead the Joint Task Force Pacific Partnership 2014.

He added JTF PP14 would conduct four ground-breaking ceremonies for construction projects in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte.

Expected to be finished in the third or fourth week of July are the construction of a four-classroom building and a science building at San Fernando Elementary School, the reconstruction of the outpatient building at Tacloban City Hospital and the construction of a science building at Castilla Elementary School in Palo, Leyte.

Major General Jet Velarmino, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, said the JTF PP14 would enhance the introperability between the three militaries.

“This activity will surely be appreciated by the recipient communities. More than the goodwill is the humanitarian touch of the activity.”

Apart from the construction projects, the participating armed forces would also conduct Key Leader’s Engagement and Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response.

Also, medical, dental and veterinary civic action programs would be conducted across Tacloban.

Originally slated to be conducted in Luzon, the damage caused by “Yolanda” prompted the AFP to conduct the service in Eastern Visayas.

“This humanitarian gesture of the participating Armed Forces from other nations is heartwarming as it exemplifies the ‘Bayanihan Spirit’ that carried the country over the challenges posed by super typhoon ‘Yolanda,'” Velarmino said. “It is one of the better ways in enhancing cooperation and goodwill among the participating nations.”