The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC), dispatched to Myanmar to assist in search, rescue and relief efforts after the devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake, has returned to the Philippines.
The 89-member team landed at Villamor Air Base late Sunday night or shortly after 11 p.m. aboard a Philippine Air Force C-130 cargo plane.
The PIAHC was composed of representatives from various organizations, including the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, Department of Health’s (DOH) Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Emergency Response Team, Energy Development Corporation, and Apex Mining Co., Inc.
A welcome ceremony was held to honor their service, attended by key officials from the Department of National Defense, Department of Health, OCD, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Air Force, and representatives from other partner agencies.
In his message, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. relayed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement, commending the team’s courage and commitment.
DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, meanwhile, lauded the contingent’s selflessness, compassion, and unwavering spirit in delivering life-saving aid in the wake of the disaster.
“You carried with you not only life-saving equipment and supplies but also the warmth of the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan: Ready to heal, to help, and to stand in solidarity with those in distress,” Herbosa said in a statement.
The DOH said a team of experts from the Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB), the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), and the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) was sent to Yangon, Myanmar to assist in post-quake recovery efforts at the request of President Marcos.
Their mission is to continue delivering emergency medical services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support to Filipinos in the area.
This team is part of the Rapid Response Team, which also includes representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The first group of PIAHC departed for Myanmar on April 1 with a second batch following the next day.
The PIAHC’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team joined local and international rescuers in the search for potential survivors, according to OCD.