BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The Nueva Vizcaya Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NVDRRMC) convened its 4th Quarter Emergency Meeting on November 25, 2025, at the PIHO Function Room, Capitol, presided over by Governor Jose V. Gambito, to assess the extensive impacts of Super Typhoon Uwan and address urgent recovery concerns.
The PDRRMO Emergency Operations Center presented the provincial damage assessment, revealing massive destruction across roads, bridges, flood control structures, government and health facilities, public and private schools, churches, tourism sites, utility services, and other infrastructures, with losses estimated at over P1 billion. Damage to agriculture and livestock further raised the total projected losses to more than P3 billion, pending completion of a terminal report.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported that family food packs have been fully depleted, and their current priority is the processing of cash transfer assistance for 38,560 affected families.
Discussions centered on the legality and procedural requirements for declaring the province under a State of Calamity (SOC). Governor Gambito clarified that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already declared Nueva Vizcaya under SOC, but the Commission on Audit (COA) requires a localized declaration through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, initiated by the PDRRMC.
The PDRRMO cited that, based on NVDRRMC Memorandum Order No. 60, s. 2019, the guidelines require fulfilling three out of seven criteria, which the province has already met. With the concurrence of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) representative, the Council agreed to proceed.
Vice Governor Eufemia A. Dacayo confirmed that once the SP receives the Council’s resolution, expected by November 28, the SP will declare the province under State of Calamity on Monday, December 1, 2025, even without waiting for the terminal report.
PSWDO Head Flordelina C. Granada requested agencies to submit detailed reports on power interruption impacts for documentation. Gov. Gambito expressed gratitude to all NVDRRMC member agencies for their continuous collaboration throughout emergency operations.
Other matters discussed were the ongoing distribution of rice at P20 per kilo to residents, the confirmation from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), through Regional Director Leon D. G. Rafael Jr., approving 1,276 cavans of rice (50 kg per cavan) to be turned over via the National Food Authority (NFA), the updates on the unresolved power outage at Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU). Governor Gambito said he will personally coordinate with Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO). NUVELCO reported that P500,000 worth of facilities were damaged, and NVSU can initially shoulder materials estimated at P300,000 to fast-track restoration. Gov. Gambito signaled that the provincial government may assist financially if needed.
The meeting concluded with a unified commitment to expedite assistance, rehabilitation, and recovery for all affected communities. /gpp
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