SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The 10-day US-led Pacific Partnership 2023 (PP23) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) wrapped up its set of activities to improve humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities in this city on August 30.

The PP23 is the biggest yearly disaster relief preparedness and multinational humanitarian assistance mission in the Indo-Pacific and comes after a successful mission at the Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last year.

This year’s activity included engineering, outreach, public health and disaster response activities and included around 1,500 personnel through the convergence efforts of  Canada, Australia, Japan, Chile, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.

The set of activities included an opening ceremony at the San Fernando Town Plaza on August 22 and a medical mission and renovation activities at the La Union National High School and the Tanquigan Primary School, respectively.

The US and Philippines Coast Guard also held a search and rescue mission at the Philippine Coast Guard Base on August 29 to improve water search and rescue capabilities and enhance incident command system and operations center management.

An engineering project was also done to renovate the Dallangayan Schoolhouse on August 29.

US Navy Captain Claudine Caluori said that the activities conducted in support to this year’s PP23 fosters the growing support and cooperation of the US and its allies with the Philippines.

“I am confident that the planning and hard work we’ve invested thus far with our partners will have a long-lasting impact here in the Philippines,” Capt. Caluori said.

Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, Chief of the AFP’s Public Affairs Office meanwhile remarked on the difference the set of activities have made on establishing stable, resilient and strong communities within the city, contributing to better response from communities, especially the vulnerable ones, in disaster situations and other calamities.

“With our partners, this [PP23] will help us hurdle challenges by fostering goodwill and fostering safer, more resilient communities for generations to come,” Lt. Col. Ileto said.

Aside from the endeavor this year in San Fernando City, the PP23 also holds missions throughout the South Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)