Joint Task Force (JTF) Agila, in partnership with the Philippine Air Force (PAF), government agencies, local government units, and humanitarian stakeholders, continues to deliver humanitarian assistance to communities isolated by the recent 7.8-magnitude earthquake through sustained airlift operations in parts of Davao Occidental and Sarangani Province.
Major road networks in affected areas were rendered impassable due to landslides and infrastructure damage, leaving several communities in the municipalities of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental and Glan in Sarangani Province inaccessible to ground transport. As a result, air assets became the primary means of delivering relief goods.
To address the situation, PAF Black Hawk helicopters conducted multiple sorties from June 11 to 15, transporting food packs, rice, bottled water, and other essential supplies to residents in Barangays Molmol, Quiapo, San Isidro, and Sitio Makina of Barangay Kalbay in Jose Abad Santos, as well as Barangay E. Alegado in Glan.
Relief items were ferried from the Provincial Capitol Grounds in Lais, Malita, Davao Occidental, and Rajah Buayan Air Base before being flown to affected communities. Despite intermittent weather disturbances and difficult terrain, airlift missions continued to ensure uninterrupted delivery of assistance.
From June 11 to 15, the operations delivered approximately 4,925 food packs, 800 five-kilogram rice packs, 3,400 bottles of water, 400 boxes of relief goods, 100 containers of 20-liter potable water, and 40 cases of six-liter bottled water to isolated communities.
The effort was supported by Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) from the 1002nd Infantry (Pag-asa) Brigade, including its Female DRT, alongside other Philippine Army units operating under the Joint Task Force Agila area of responsibility. These units assisted in loading, unloading, transport, and coordination with local authorities for the distribution of relief goods.
JTF Agila said the sustained operations highlight the coordinated response of military and civilian agencies in overcoming logistical challenges to ensure aid reaches affected populations.
Major General Alvin Luzon, Commander of JTF Agila, commended all personnel involved and emphasized the importance of unified action during disasters.
“Disasters test not only our capabilities but also our compassion as a people. While access to some communities remains challenging, our troops, together with our partners from government agencies, local government units, humanitarian organizations, and volunteers, remain committed to ensuring that assistance reaches every affected family. This operation reflects the strength of our collective response and our shared responsibility to help communities recover and rebuild,” Luzon said.
JTF Agila said it remains committed to sustaining humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations across affected areas until recovery efforts are stabilized.