WITH MASSIVE floods and landslides isolating several communities, the 10th Infantry Division and the Davao de Oro government took to the skies on Saturday, Feb. 21, to conduct a high-stakes Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA).
The joint aerial mission, led by Brigadier General Vince James Bantilan of the 1001st Infantry Brigade and Governor Raul Mabanglo, aimed to provide a “bird’s-eye view” of the devastation caused by the persistent shear line that has hammered the region with heavy rainfall.
The inspection team surveyed the hardest-hit municipalities in Davao de Oro, extending their reach into parts of Agusan del Sur and Davao del Norte. From the air, officials monitored critical “red zones,” including submerged road networks and bridges that cut off relief access, swelling riverbanks threatening low-lying residential areas, and saturated slopes showing signs of imminent landslides.
The data-driven approach allows the military and the PDRRMO to bypass “guesswork” and deploy heavy equipment and relief goods exactly where they are needed most.
No community left behind
Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, emphasized that the aerial survey is a vital precursor to a massive ground response.
“The proactive aerial assessment ensures swift resource allocation. We aren’t just reacting; we are planning based on the actual landscape of the disaster,” Luzon stated. “The Agila Troopers remain ready to support our communities… to safeguard lives and ensure timely humanitarian assistance.”
The mission highlights the strong “whole-of-nation” coordination between the Armed Forces and the local government units.
