Pacific Partnership 2025 officially began its mission in Virac, Catanduanes, bringing together foreign and local experts to help improve disaster response in the area.
Members of the Hawaii National Guard, the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are working closely with local emergency responders and government officials.
They are holding training sessions focused on three main areas: urban search and rescue (USAR), Incident Command System (ICS), and disaster management.
These activities aim to improve teamwork, technical skills, and local readiness for future natural disasters.
“Pacific Partnership is about more than training; it’s about building lasting relationships that strengthen regional security and stability,” said Cmdr. Robert Reyes, the officer in charge for the Philippines mission stop.
“Each interaction brings us closer to achieving a shared goal of a safer, more resilient Indo-Pacific,” he added.
The ICS and disaster management training follows the U.S. National Incident Management System but is adjusted for the needs and conditions in the Philippines.
It includes simulations, planning exercises, and teamwork drills between civilian and military responders.
Meanwhile, the USAR training led by the Hawaii National Guard and AFP teaches life-saving techniques such as rescuing people from collapsed buildings, working in tight spaces, and safely moving through rubble. The training will end with a realistic disaster drill to test the skills learned.
Now in its 21st year, Pacific Partnership is the largest yearly disaster training event in the Indo-Pacific region. It helps countries work better together during disasters, strengthens security, and builds strong international friendships.
