By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., accompanied by Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary (DICT) Secretary Ivan John E. Uy extended various forms of government assistance including over P10 million worth of financial aid as well as distribution of food supplies and agricultural interventions to typhoon-affected residents in Buguey, Cagayan last Sunday (Nov. 10).
“Dahil kailangan na nating ibalik kaagad ang mga communication facilities…lahat ito, hindi lamang dito sa Buguey kung hindi pati sa amin sa Ilocos Norte, meron din kaming (sic) natamaan. Kaya sinama ko si DICT Secretary Ivan Uy,” Marcos stated, underscoring the critical role of the DICT.
“The DICT is fully dedicated to restoring communication services in the areas affected by ‘Marce’. Since the typhoon made landfall in Cagayan, we have been on the ground, supporting local government units and agencies with emergency telecommunications equipment to bolster their response efforts,” Uy committed to the President’s directive.
The DICT activated its Emergency Operations Center and swiftly deployed resources to address the needs of Northern Luzon including the conduct of rapid interventions to maintain critical connectivity and aid in disaster response. The agency also deployed Mobile Operations Vehicle for Emergencies Set in Cagayan and the provision of Starlink units to Apayao, Sanchez-Mira, and Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and Basco, Batanes. Additionally, a generator set was provided to the CDRRMO office in Sta. Ana, along with the active participation of DICT Region 2 personnel in response teams to address the telecommunication needs of residents in Santa Praxedes and Santa Ana.
Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority Administrator Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile also attended the event, emphasizing a whole-of-government approach in aiding ‘Marce’-hit communities.
-avds