Kalinga opened the region’s first Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) Warehouse and Logistics Hub at the Provincial Capitol in Tabuk City this week.
Key regional government officials saw the groundbreaking ceremony for the PhP 23.7 million facility that is projected to be crucial for the timely distribution of relief goods and other needs during calamities.
Civil Defense-Cordillera (OCD-CAR) Regional Director Albert Mogol said the facility will serve not only Kalinga but also the nearby provinces of Abra, Ifugao, Apayao, parts of Mt. Province, and even parts of the Cagayan Valley Region.
Kalinga was chosen as the site of the warehouse because of its strategic location in the center of the region as well as its proximity to vital transport hubs like the Tuguegarao City airport, Mogol said. “Nasa sentro ang Kalinga, kapag meron na tayo nito, mabilis na pong maipaparating ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan (Kalinga is at the center, so if we have this, we can easily provide what our fellow need) before, during, and after any calamities,” Mogol said.
In a virtual message, National DRRMC Executive Director Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad said the project is a testament to the NDRRMC’s commitment to strengthening disaster response and management in the country.
“Ngayong araw sa pamamagitan ng ating pagtutulungan, isang kapaki-pakinabang na proyekto ang muling mailulunsad. Ang mga proyektong ganito ay tanda ng patuloy na suporta at pagsusumikap ng pamahalaan sa pagpapa-igting ng pambansang programa ng DRRM (This day because of our combined efforts, a much needed project has been launched. Projects like this is a symbol of our continued support to our government for the implementation of national programs of the DRRM),” Jalad said.
Also present during the groundbreaking ceremony were Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Rhea Peñaflor, DSWD-Cordillera Regional Director Arnel Garcia, Department of Health-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan, Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Regional Director Nancy Bantog.
Kalinga Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Governor Ferdinand Tubban, were also present.