1. Topic 3: “Investing in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Capabilities”
With its location in the Ring of Fire region, the Philippines has often been beset by natural
calamities such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Occurence of typhoons is also common in
the country. Thus, the Philippine Air Force and other services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
gained extensive experience in Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response and as a result, HA/DR
has become a primary mission area for the AFP. At the same time, the key to success of these opera-
tions is effective partnership between AFP units and various government agencies. Nevertheless, one
of the biggest challenges to air operations in HA/DR is the investment in adequate capabilities as the
PAF has to labor with the impression that its equipment have utility only for purely military purposes. In
view thereof, this presentation examines the rationale for investing in air power capabilities for HA/DR.
The desired learning objectives for the audience are:
1. Highlight the convergence between national security and development through investing in
air power capabilities for HA/DR;
2. Cite possible challenges, opportunities, and strategies to mobilize stakeholder support to
invest in air power HA/DR capabilities; and
3. Identify joint/inter-agency issues and concerns that the HA/DR operation has to address.
HONORABLE LOREN B LEGARDA
Senator, 15th Congress
SENATOR LOREN B LEGARDA devoted her work for the last 30 years in promoting environment protection and
sustainable development, social justice, human rights, peace and cultural diversity, quality education and decent employment.
As a journalist, she is a recipient of more than 30 awards for her compelling and exceptional reporting, including the Ten Out-
standing Young Men (TOYM) from the Philippine Jaycees, The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service Award (TOWNS),
and the Benigno Aquino Award for Journalism. Senator Legarda remains the only woman to be elected as Senate Majority
Leader.
Her legislative agenda resulted in laws uplifting the conditions of the elderly, women and children, environment, and
education among others. Her other major advocacies include peace building, indigenous people’s rights and literacy. Already
on her second term, she presently chairs the Committees on Climate Change, Foreign Relations and Cultural Communities
as well as the Oversight Committees on the Visiting Forces Agreement and on Climate Change.