PH humanitarian team returns from earthquake-hit Myanmar

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippine contingent that helped in humanitarian efforts in earthquake-hit Myanmar returned to the country on Sunday evening, April 13.

The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent completed its two-week mission to provide essential support in Myanmar, which was jolted by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on March 28.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), 89 personnel from the following agencies consisted the humanitarian team:

+ OCD

+ Philippine Air Force (PAF)

+ Philippine Army

+ Department of Health (DOH) - Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team

+ Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

+ Bureau of Fire Protection

+ Department of Environment and Natural Resources Emergency Response Team

+ Energy Development Corporation

+ Apex Mining Co., Inc.

They arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City past 11 p.m. on Sunday, aboard two C-130 aircraft.

In a Palace briefing on Monday, Communications Undersecretary lauded the contingent for showing courage in fulfilling their duties.

“Lahat ng nanggaling at tumulong sa Myanmar, kayo po ay aming pinasasalamatan, kapuri-puri ang inyong mga ginawa,” Castro said.

[Translation: All those who helped in Myanmar, we express gratitude to your work. What you have done is commendable.]

“With deep gratitude, I humbly receive the message of appreciation from the President and0 the Secretary of National Defense,” the contingent’s commander LtCol Erwen Diploma, PAF, was quoted as saying in an OCD statement released before their arrival. “It is a great honor for me as the Contingent Commander and my team to serve in the name of our country.”

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, and OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno led the welcome ceremony to honor the contingent.

While in Myanmar, the Philippine team performed life-saving operations, provided medical assistance, and delivered critical aid to communities.

The OCD said the urban search and rescue team officially wrapped up its activities in Nay Pyi Taw.

The DOH said the country’s emergency medical assistance team set up field hospitals in Pyinmana town, attending to over 1,000 patients.

The OCD said the C-130 aircraft sent a total cargo of over 8,000 kilograms to Myanmar consisting of hygiene kits and tarpaulin sheets, which were donated by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management.

The first batch of the contingent departed for Myanmar on April 1. 

The death toll has reached over 3,000. Two Filipinos have been confirmed dead while two others remain unaccounted for.