The Philippine contingent that will provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake-affected communities in Myanmar left the country on Tuesday morning.

According to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) fifty eight out of the total of 91 members of the Philippine contingent departed from Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City to Myanmar via two C-130s on Tuesday morning.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, alongside Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Civil Defense Administrator (OCD), and Lt.Gen. Arthur Cordura, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, led the send-off ceremony for the Philippine contingent.

After bringing the contingent to Myanmar, the two C-130s will return to the country while one will be used to send 33 other personnel to Myanmar on Wednesday.

A total of 40 PAF personnel, including aeromedical personnel, and aircraft security were also deployed as part of the C-130 aircrew who transported the Philippine contingent.

The Philippine contingent headed by Lt. Col Erwen Diploma, includes urban search and rescue teams from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Bureau of Fire Protection, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources/Private Sector (EDC and Apex Mining); the Philippine Medical Assistance team from the Department of Health; and coordinators from the Office of Civil Defense.

They are equipped with essential search and rescue equipment and medical supplies, these personnel are ready to perform life-saving operations, provide medical assistance, and deliver critical aid throughout the mission.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program, Office of Civil Defense Director Chris Bendijo said based on the initial plan the Philippine contingent will stay in Myanmar until April 12.

However, Bendijo noted that the deployment of the Philippine contingent in Myanmar may also be extended defending on the result of their HADR operation.

"The original plan is for them to stay until April 12, but depending on the result of their operations it can be extended. It will depend against the request as well by Myanmar because we really don't know what could be the result of our operations and if there is a need for our Philippine contingent to extend their mission," he said. Robina Asido/DMS