PERSONNEL from the Philippine Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police participate in disaster response drills alongside the US Navy in an urban search rescue training in Tacloban City.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NEGROS ORIENTAL
Dozens of emergency responders from government agencies, military branches and international partners gathered in Leyte this week for specialized disaster training under the Pacific Partnership 2026 initiative.
A total of 79 personnel began an Urban Search and Rescue training program at HTG Tacloban in Barangay Libertad, Tacloban City. The course aims to improve technical capabilities and inter-agency coordination during major disaster responses.
Participants in the search and rescue sessions included 26 Philippine Army soldiers, eight Philippine Air Force personnel, 10 firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection, six Philippine Coast Guard officers, seven Philippine National Police personnel, 12 disaster risk officers from Ormoc and TACRU, 10 Army reservists and personnel from the US Navy.
The training covered technical rescue procedures, including victim packaging, structural marking, rope operations, line and cross-pattern searches, ascending and descending techniques, and mechanical hauling systems.
In a related event, 83 personnel completed a two-day Hazardous Material training course running 14 to 15 September at the Tropic at MacArthur Park Resort and Convention Center in Palo, Leyte.
The HAZMAT contingent comprised 36 Philippine Army soldiers, six Air Force personnel, 13 firefighters, six Coast Guard officers, seven police officers, 13 local disaster management personnel and US Navy representatives.
