The Philippine Navy (PN) has deployed one of the largest ships in its fleet, the 7,200-ton BRP Tarlac (LD-601), to transport “critical relief goods” to Albay, which is affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano.
In a statement late Wednesday, the Navy said the landing dock was tasked to carry items provided by the Department of Health (DOH) central office last June 25.
“A total of 2.4 tons of cargo, including 100,000 respiratory masks; 2,000 units of jerrycan water collapsible; and 1,966,000 surgical masks and 102,600 N-95 masks, were delivered to Albay by sea from Metro Manila by LD-601,” the PN statement said.
The shipments were unloaded via beach landing at the Naval Forces Southern Luzon in Legazpi City last June 26.
“Using the onboard landing craft unit (LCU) which will be transported by the military trucks of Task Force ‘Sagip’ to DOH storage areas,” the PN said.
The BRP Tarlac is one of the Navy’s two Tarlac-class landing docks and was commissioned in 2016.
“Besides its primary functions, BRP Tarlac is equipped with the capability to convert seawater into freshwater and can accommodate a minimum of 500 evacuees,” the PN added.
These ships have a cargo capacity of 650 tons each.
These vessels also have onboard medical facilities and personnel, including a doctor and a dentist per ship, along with 10 beds for medical purposes.
To aid in humanitarian missions, the BRP Tarlac also has an onboard LCU (Landing Craft Utility) that can be deployed to coastal areas where land transportation is compromised.
“The successful delivery of relief goods by BRP Tarlac to Albay in response to the Mount Mayon unrest stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the PN in times of crisis,” the Navy said.