The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur has added an all-terrain amphibious vehicle to its disaster response assets in a move aimed at strengthening rescue operations during disasters.

Under the leadership of Governor Luis Raymund ‘Lray’ Villafuerte, the Provincial Government said the new vehicle will help responders reach communities that become inaccessible during severe flooding.

The acquisition comes after the impact of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in 2024, which brought intense rainfall and flooded several areas across the Bicol Region, leaving many parts of Camarines Sur submerged in floodwaters.

While rescue teams were able to respond using existing disaster response assets at the time, the experience highlighted the need for a safer and more reliable rescue vehicle for operations in flooded areas.

Unlike inflatable rescue boats that may be prone to deflation after hitting debris such as branches and other submerged objects, the amphibious vehicle is designed to move on both land and water, providing a more secure platform for rescuers and evacuees.

In the coming days, the Environment, Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO) is set to conduct trainings for members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Response Cluster on the proper operation and management of the vehicle with trainers from Ukraine.

As a province frequently affected by floods and typhoons, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur remains committed to strengthening disaster resilience. Apart from continuously capacitating its response teams through training and other capacity-building activities, the Provincial Government is also investing in updated equipment and facilities to improve emergency response capabilities.