MANILA -- The Philippine Navy, thru Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, has deployed its HADR team bound for Surigao City.

They have brought essential relief items for the affected residents: 100 food packs w/ 4L water each and 10 boxes of bottled water (200L).

Said contingent will also establish an advance command post in Surigao City for control and organization of the Navy's HADR efforts in the area.

NFEM earlier conducted initial flights last December 17 for aerial survey to check and assess the condition of seaports and airports in the area.

BRP Hilario Ruiz (PC378) and BRP Rafael Pargas (PC379), under the operational control of NFEM, conducted the ferry of 26 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) bound for Nasipit (12- fm Dinagat composed of LGU pers and LSI, 17- LSIs fm Siargao) on Dec 18.

Before the ferry, the personnel of PC379 was able to repair the charging station at Dinagat Port on Dec 17, to the relief of the local residents and LSIs. The charging station incurred damage during the storm's passage.

PC379 also rendered assistance by letting the LSIs charge their electrical devices from the ship's power.

Both Navy vessels conducted area assessments in the seaports of Surigao City, Dinagat and Siargao Island on Dec 17.

Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao continues to coordinate with the LGUs of Butuan, Surigao, Siargao and Dinagat Island and render assistance to our affected countrymen.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy is also in continous coordination with cognizant government agencies, NGOs and civil society organizations for the consolidation of relief items for the affected areas. The PN is ready to deploy several vessels namely BRP Tarlac (LD601), BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS25), BRP Bacolod City (LC550), BRP Iwak (LC289) and BRP Agta (LC290) for HADR efforts of the government. (PN)