Reg’l DRRM warehouse and logistics hub to rise in Kalinga
By Peter Balocnit
OFFERING. Traditional “Karukar” and “Pusik,” a ritual offering of a pig for the unseen particularly for spirits guarding the construction site to keep safe the workers, the users of the facility if completed, the implementers and administrators.
FIRST. The Cordillera Region Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Warehouse and Logistics Hub in Tabuk City, Kalinga. File photos DRRM
CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) – -A Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Inter-Agency warehouse and logistics hub will soon rise at the Capitol grounds here with the groundbreaking on Friday (Aug. 27) for the construction of the P23.7 million –worth facility.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Rhea Peñaflor Office of Civil Defense Cordillera (OCD-CAR) Director Albert Mogol with the Kalinga Governor Ferdinand Tubban and Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the OCDRO-CAR hub.
They were joined by DSWD-CAR Director Arnel Garcia, Department of Science and Technology -CAR Director Nancy Bantog, and Dept. of Health -CAR Assistant Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan, and other officials.
The facility that will rise in a lot donated by the provincial government of Kalinga is funded under the Quick Response Fund of the OCD-RDRRMC.
The ceremony started with the traditional “Karukar” and “Pusik,” a ritual offering of a pig for the unseen particularly for spirits guarding the construction site to keep safe the workers, the users of the facility if completed, the implementers and administrators.
OCD Administrator and NDRRMC Executive Director Usec. Ricardo B. Jalad, in his virtual message, said “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.”
Mangaoang supported this saying the construction of this facility demonstrates this administration’s commitment to enhance responsiveness in times of calamities.
“As we establish our regional warehouse in the province, the DSWD is steadfast to preposition quality relief items maximizing the facility’s threshold for efficient response. Also, to ensure an effective warehouse management system, the agency will be providing warehouse and logistics management capacity building activity and other facility equipment needed for its operation,” Peñafor said.
Meanwhile, Tubban said the strategic location of Kalinga as another DRRMC hub of supplies in the region being sandwiched among other provinces shall facilitate faster delivery of needed services and help.
“This warehouse will address the issue of ease of access to resources during these critical times, and that in itself is a measure of disaster preparedness,” Pangilinan said as she stressed that when it comes to disaster management, time is of the essence. The sooner we get to respond to any need with all the logistics necessary, the better our chances of ensuring everyone’s safety.
“Sa mga panahon ng kalamidad o sakuna, mas mabuti po ang tumutulong kaysa sa tinutulungan. Ito po ay sinisimbolo ng “Warehouse at Logistics Hub” project na ito – mas malapit at higit na mabilis ang pagtugon natin sa mga nasalanta o biktima ng disaster lalong-lao na sa mga hinterlands at isolated communities ng Kordilyera at mga karatig rehiyon at probinsya dito sa Northern Luzon,” Mogul said.(JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
