More than 15,800 residents throughout Luzon have been safely brought to higher ground by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as torrential Southwest Monsoon rains caused severe flooding across several provinces.
Working alongside local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management units, PCG personnel executed simultaneous rescue missions and proactive evacuations to protect affected communities.
“Our ongoing efforts are supported by the anticipatory deployment of personnel, floating assets, land vehicles, and rescue equipment to strategic locations,” said PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab in a statement released Monday, August 31.
The agency stressed that pre-positioning assets in high-risk zones drastically improved response times during emergency calls.
“These capabilities allow us to position response units closer to high-risk communities, shortening the time needed to reach families requiring assistance,” Cayabyab noted.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan credited the swift disaster response to the agency’s continued modernization drive, increased manpower, and expanded operational equipment.
He further highlighted the critical role of the Quick Response Fund in funding immediate relief logistics and sustaining field operations during major flood events.