Combined Fil, US military continuing aid to typhoon-struck Batanes

BAGUIO CITY (October 8, 2024)—Filipino troopers from the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and the U.S. III Marine Expeditionary Force are continously delivering essential relief supplies to typhoon-affected communities in Batanes.

Since October 5, 2024, this operation has been part of a coordinated response to Typhoon Julian, supported by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), said Lt. Col. Jaime Ferrer, chief of the public information office of Nolcom.

U.S. aircraft are continuously transporting relief goods from Ilocos to Batanes due to runway limitations at Basco Airport, added Ferrer.

Already, 1,000 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 1,000 shelter repair kits from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), 2,500 tarpaulin sheets from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and 1,000 kitchen sets from IOM have been delivered, while efforts to ensure that communities in Batanes receive the support they urgently need have not stopped a bit.

NOLCOM commander, Lt. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca thanked the continued U.S. support in these relief efforts. “We sincerely thank our U.S. allies for their swift response and assistance. Their commitment to helping our people during this crisis strengthens our bond and showcases the spirit of cooperation between our nations.”

He further emphasized NOLCOM’s dedication to aiding the affected communities, “we remain committed to providing rapid and effective assistance to help those impacted by Typhoon Julian recover and rebuild.”

According to Buca, the ongoing relief mission highlights the critical role of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in facilitating timely humanitarian assistance during emergencies. With North and Central Luzon frequently affected by typhoons, strategically located EDCA sites are essential for enabling joint military operations in response to natural disasters.

There is also an urgent need to accelerate the construction and enhancement of facilities within these sites to effectively address humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) requirements, the Nolcom chief continued.

Signed in 2014, the EDCA allows the Philippines and the U.S. to collaborate effectively in training and responding to humanitarian crises while achieving modernization goals. The Philippines maintains full sovereignty and responsibility over EDCA Agreed Locations, ensuring that all projects are mutually beneficial and bilateral.

Key EDCA sites in Northern Luzon, including Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan, and Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, enhance both nations’ operational readiness and effectiveness during emergencies such as Typhoon Julian.