The Office of Civil Defense in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted a Recognition Ceremony and After-Action Report presentation for members of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PHIAC) and the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) on July 4, in acknowledgment of their critical role in providing humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar in April.
Deployed from April 1 to 13, 2025, the PHIAC, comprising personnel from the AFP, Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fire Protection, Energy Development Corp., Apex Mining Co., and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) who worked alongside ASEAN-ERAT to deliver immediate aid, conduct rapid damage assessments, and support local authorities in affected areas.
The contingent provided essential services such as medical care, relief operations, logistics support, and coordination with local and international humanitarian partners under the ASEAN framework.
During the ceremony, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr. lauded the team’s professionalism, resilience, and unwavering commitment to regional solidarity and disaster response, emphasizing that their actions proved the Philippines is always ready to extend a helping hand to its ASEAN neighbors in times of crisis.
This recognition is part of the AFP's commitment to promote a whole-of-nation and whole-of-region approach in addressing natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Photo by PFC Carmelotes PN(M)/PAOAFP
