BALER, Aurora — A total of 125 victims were rescued after flooding and landslides due to heavy rains ravaged the province of Aurora on Friday.
Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto Jr., Commanding Officer of 91IB, the Philippine Army and the local Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Offices were continuously monitoring 1,122 families in Dingalan and Baler from the recent flooding and landslide.
He said are soldiers coordinating with the local disaster response offices in the province and sending Disaster Response and Recovery Operations team to augment personnel for rescue operations in the area.
“We sent our team to proceed to Baler MDRRMO, chief Hector N. de la Torre Jr. to help respond to our villagers affected by floods. Our troops also conducted mobile patrol operations in the area to monitor the situation,” Recto said.
Rescued individuals were from Sitio Kinalapan in Barangay Pingit, Sitio Gabgab in Barangay Buhangin, Sitio Pulo in Barangay Zabali all of Baler Municipality; Sitio Mapula in Barangay Wenceslao, Maria Aurora Municipality and Sitio Diamot in Barangay Nonong Senior, San Luis Municipality.
Recto assured the public that soldiers will continue to have close coordination with national government agencies, local government units, and private sector partners to extend assistance and help the people during calamities.
The Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo lauded the joint rescue operations of soldiers and the MDRRMO in Aurora. He also ensured the intensified coordination and collaboration with national government agencies and local government units in times of disaster in order to assist and protect lives and properties by conducting disaster preparedness efforts before calamities strike and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response operations during and after any eventuality.