The personnel of 303rd Infantry Brigade(303IB) of the Philippine Army and its line battalions are in alert posture in preparation for upcoming typhoons and any unwanted natural disaster incidents that may occur in Negros Occidental. 

303IB Brigade Commander Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte alerted the 34 Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) teams from the 303IB, 62nd Infantry Battalion and 79th Infantry Battalion composed of 350 regular soldiers to be deployed in the first to fifth districts of Negros Occidental and first district of Negros Oriental.

The said HADR teams are trained in basic first aid, light and water search rescue operations and incident command system by the Philippine Army, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (DRRMO) in order to ensure that the teams are mission-capable and fully responsive.

Aside from the HADR related training, the teams are also equipped with basic search and rescue equipment which includes but is not limited to life jackets, life rings, floating devices, rescue helmets, utility ropes, chainsaws and folding stretchers.

Likewise, the Army also prepared its military field ambulances, military trucks and utility vehicles to provide necessary mobility assistance.

Pasaporte said all deployment of military personnel in the entire province is also being augmented by reservists and auxiliary units ready reserve forces./WDJ