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Navy sends off BRP Tarlac to Catanduanes

The Philippine Navy on Tuesday sent off BRP Tarlac (LD601) for a humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) mission to Catanduanes, one of the provinces which was severely-hit by typhoons in the past few weeks. 

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana witnessed the send-off ceremony at Pier 15 in Manila.

"Bilang inyong kalihim ng Tanggulang Pambansa, tinitiyak ko sa inyo ang buong suporta ng kagawaran para sa inyong modernisasyon. We shall vigorously provide our Navy with assets for a better, more efficient, and prompt humanitarian assistance to our fellow Filipinos in dire times," Lorenzana said.

The vessel carries some 240 tons of relief goods and construction materials from government agencies, non-government organizations as well as private donors. 

It also carries heavy equipment, trucks, and trailers from Naval Combat Engineering Brigade and Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 for clearing operations and rehabilitation efforts.

Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe and other senior military officials were also present during the ceremony. 

The BRP Tarlac is a critical asset for civil-military operations and HADR due to its capability of transporting a large number of personnel, logistics and supplies. —KG/AOL, GMA News