AFP strengthens partnerships for disaster response

AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista. PHOTO from AFP Public Affairs Office

MANILA, Philippines—To further improve the manpower and services in disaster response and humanitarian aid, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has continued their partnership with two organizations to boost its performance.

General Emmanuel Bautista, AFP Chief of Staff, signed two memoranda of agreement, one with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines and the other with Unilab Laboratories.

“There will be more calamities and disasters that will affect our communities, but we are confident and we are comforted by the fact that we as a people stand united in the spirit of Bayanihan,” Bautista said.

For their part in the partnership with Tzu Chi, the AFP would be the main manpower during the activities in building homes for the victims of Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

Soldiers and engineers would come from the AFP and they would also coordinate with the local government to help in the construction.

Also, the AFP’s alliance with Unilab would see the military provide medical personnel and the logistics during post-disaster scenarios.

Lieutenant General Ramon Zagala, AFP Public Affairs Chief, said that the partnership was meant to strengthen and improve the services of the three parties.

“It’s all about partnership, yes we provide the manpower, but we are all equals here,” Zagala said.

Bautista signed the agreements with Tzu Chi Philippines Chief Executive Officer Alfredo Li, and Attorney Jose Maria Ochave, Unilab Senior Vice President for External Affairs.

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