The Philippine Army (PA) has bolstered its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) preparations as Mayon Volcano has now been placed under Alert Level 3 due to its increasing unrest.

Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement over the weekend, said this was done through the activation of the Camarines Sur-based 9th Infantry Division of its Task Force (TF) Sagip which is also partnering with other government agencies with the same mission,

“TF Sagip which is geared towards possible HADR operations, has coordinated with the Office of Civil Defense 5, provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, and local government agencies in Albay and nearby provinces which might be affected by the ongoing magmatic eruption of Mayon Volcano,” he added.

Meanwhile, Trinidad said the 9th Civil Military Operations Battalion of the 9th Infantry Division has continued to coordinate and make coordination with different sectors, including the 504th Community Defense Center and 5th Regional Community Defense Group for mobilization of the reserve force.

“Moreover, the 903rd Infantry Brigade, which covers the provinces of the 2nd district of Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate, mustered its Emergency Response Team while the 31st Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Division started to facilitate the mandatory evacuation of residents within the six to eight-kilometer radius danger zone,” he added.

Trinidad said the PA leadership lauds the HADR preparations of the 9th Infantry Division that aims to ensure that all Bicolanos who will be affected by the volcanic eruptions are safe from danger.

This, as the unit works closely with different government agencies, local government units, and non-government organizations to multiply the effort and expand the range of coverage in much lesser time. (PNA)