The Philippine Army, through the 5th Infantry Division (5ID), continued to work with partner government agencies to bolster preparations for the possible impact of Supertyphoon “Betty” to Northern Luzon on May 27, 2023.
The 5ID, whose area of operations covers Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, and the Ilocos Region, mustered its Disaster Response Team at Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela on the afternoon of May 27. Moreover, 5ID Commander Maj. Gen. Audrey L. Pasia updated Cagayan Valley Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Regional Director Leon DG Rafael Jr. about the status of deployed Army disaster response teams in the region. The officials also discussed the pre-positioning of water filtration units from the National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council in key areas of Cagayan Valley.
In a separate meeting, Regional Director Rafael briefed 502nd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Eugene Mata about the disaster risk profile of areas in the northern portion of Cagayan which are anticipated to be affected by the coming super typhoon. Meanwhile, Army soldiers joined the multi-agency meeting of the Cagayan Provincial Incident Management Team to discuss plans for prompt and responsive humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts in the province.
It can be noted that the Headquarters Philippine Army, in anticipation of the possible catastrophic effects of Supertyphoon "Betty," activated the Philippine Army Disaster Response Task Force on May 26. The Army leadership also alerted the disaster response units of Philippine Army Major Units to prepare for possible deployment to areas threatened by the super typhoon.
Photos from the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army