Following the resumption of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Disaster Response Cluster Meeting on November 12, 2025, the province of Nueva Vizcaya welcomed Regional Director Leon D. G. Rafael, Jr. of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Office No. 02 on November 13, 2025. The visit highlights the coordination between the provincial and regional disaster response teams in addressing the aftermath of Super Typhoon Uwan and enhancing preparedness for future calamities.
Situational briefing on the impact of Typhoon Uwan was presented, including weather and road conditions, power and communication status, and damage assessments in agriculture and infrastructure. Reports bared six municipalities remain without power supply, with 25 percent of the province experiencing power interruptions. Work and class suspensions until November 15, 2025, at all levels.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported five (5) casualties, including two from Kayapa, one from Kasibu, Bambang and Quezon, respectively.
The Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Office confirmed that assistance had been delivered to affected families, while validation of damaged houses in several municipalities was still ongoing.
DPWH 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO) reported ₱94 million worth of damage to roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, while the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) noted approximately 2,300 hectares of crops totally damaged and beyond recovery. Several local government units also raised the need for centralized evacuation centers, especially after reports that some existing facilities were also affected by the typhoon.
Municipal DRRM Officers voiced their concerns regarding the interrupted communication lines that delayed the uploading of disaster reports and coordination with response units. Director Rafael assured the council that the OCD, in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), is continuously exploring solutions to improve disaster communication capacity. He acknowledged, however, that not all municipalities have received functioning units, and discussions with DICT for a new memorandum of agreement are ongoing.
Other agencies, cited ongoing road clearing and rehabilitation efforts, while DTI emphasized the enforcement of a price freeze on basic goods. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) likewise discussed the rollout of the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program prioritizing severely affected families, noting the challenge of identifying beneficiaries outside designated evacuation centers.
Director Rafael commended Governor Jose V. Gambito and the PDRRMC for their proactive leadership and collective efforts while Gov. Gambito, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the OCD and all partner agencies for its assistance and assured that his mission to build a safer Nueva Vizcaya will continue.
The meeting adjourned with Engr. Edgardo D. Sabado, PPDC, assuring faster recovery operations for affected Vizcayano with Gov. Gambito leading the PDRRM Council. /gpp
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