CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines extended its network of partners for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in signing two Memorandums of Understanding with private organizations today, June 18.
In a simultaneous signing ceremony held at the GHQ Conference Room, the AFP signed a MOU with Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, Inc., and United Laboratories, Inc.
Tzu Chi Foundation is one of the biggest providers of relief and recovery assistance in the areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda. The said MOU, signed by the AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel T Bautista and Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Mr Alfredo T Li, seeks cooperation in providing houses for Yolanda victims.
Accordingly, the AFP will provide soldiers and engineers in preparing the site and in constructing the housing facilities in selected affected areas. The AFP will also provide assistance in coordinating with local government units and other stakeholders to support the construction.
“We thank the AFP for helping us in transporting relief goods from Mactan, Cebu to Ormoc and to Yolanda victims. This time we ask the AFP to help us in the construction of houses for the victims,” Mr Li said.
On the other hand, the MOU with Unilab, Inc. which was signed by its Senior Vice President for External Affairs Atty Jose Maria Ochave and General Bautista, will task the AFP to provide medical personnel, site preparation, and transportation for medical missions in times of calamities.
The two MOU’s will formalize on-going joint projects between the AFP and Tzu Chi, and Unilab as the military has been providing logistical support and manpower in relief operations during disasters.
“We look forward to more undertakings with our new partners. 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,” Gen Bautista said.
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