The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya through the leadership and initiative of Governor Jose “Jing” V. Gambito, was able to secure 1,270 cavans of rice from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Office 02 to support families affected by Super Typhoon Uwan. The assistance was formally turned over through the National Food Authority (NFA), the agency mandated to manage the country’s food buffer stocks.
The request of Gov. Gambito was approved by OCD Regional Director Leon D. G. Rafael, Jr., who commended the provincial government’s fast disaster reporting and efficient coordination.
“Because of your prompt and organized reporting here in Nueva Vizcaya, we were able to request assistance early from the national government. That is why we can deliver our support to you at once,” RD Rafael said, stressing the importance of close coordination among agencies.
He emphasized the national government’s “whole-of-nation approach”, highlighting the shared goal of empowering communities to become resilient against future calamities.
“We need strong collaboration with all concerned agencies, even the media for bridging information to far-flung areas. Without unity, we cannot accomplish this,” he added.
Rafael also expressed his vision for the province: “I want to see the PLGU equipped with a 3-in-1 warehouse, for food, non-food, and cold storage for medicine.”NFA Branch Manager Ms. Elsa A. Lim expressed gratitude and commanded Gov. Gambito’s active leadership and swift action in ensuring that affected families receive immediate assistance. “Together, we will overcome as one government,” Lim said.
Representing the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Mr. Robert L. Corpuz thanked the OCD and NFA not only for the rice allocation but also for the continued partnership. He affirmed that plans are already underway for the proposed 3-in-1 warehouse. “We already have funding available and are currently identifying the most suitable location for its construction,” he announced.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) and Disaster Response Cluster Chairperson Flordelina C. Granada reported that although DSWD food packs were previously depleted due to the large number of affected residents, a new request had been approved. “We have been granted an additional 10,000 food packs for Nueva Vizcaya,” she confirmed.
With these collaborations, Gov. Gambito, constantly assured the public of continuous support and emphasized that quick response and strategic partnerships remain central to the provincial government’s disaster management initiatives. His reiteration for the provincial government to continue to prioritize efficient response, strengthened logistics systems, and community resilience-building programs, to improve warehouse capacities, food security mechanisms, and inter-agency collaboration remains persistent. /gloria
[This article was initially created on Facebook – Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. For PGNV updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/vizcayareporter]
