A 91-member Philippine humanitarian contingent left early morning Tuesday from Villamor Air Base to assist Myanmar in the aftermath of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that has claimed more than 1,700 lives.
The team headed by Lt. Col. Erwen Diploma of the Philippine Air Force includes personnel from the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and private sector partners.
The Department of Health has deployed a medical assistance team, while the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) sent coordinators.
Two C-130 aircraft carried the first batch of 58 personnel, with the remaining 33 members scheduled to depart on April 2.
The mission also includes 40 Air Force personnel, who will serve as C-130 aircrew, aeromedical responders, and aircraft security.
The team brought essential search and rescue equipment and medical supplies to conduct life-saving operations and distribute critical aid.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. reaffirmed the Philippine government’s solidarity with Myanmar, highlighting the country’s commitment to disaster response and regional cooperation.
OCD chief Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the readiness of his office and its partner agencies, citing previous relief efforts in Turkey and Syria.
In response to the Myanmar disaster, Nepomuceno urged local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines to accelerate retrofitting efforts for key infrastructure to improve earthquake resilience.
He stressed the importance of strengthening public buildings such as schools and health centers to withstand major seismic events, citing Japan as a global model for disaster preparedness.
“The most critical step in enhancing our earthquake preparedness is to implement engineering solutions, such as retrofitting essential structures like schools and health centers,” Nepomuceno said.
The government is also ramping up public awareness campaigns on earthquake safety, including the “duck, cover, and hold” protocol.
Nepomuceno warned that the Philippines must be prepared for a potential large-scale earthquake—often referred to as “The Big One”—which could result in significant casualties.