Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles led the convening of the 1st quarter meeting of the Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday, 24 February 2021 to assess the damage brought by Typhoon Auring, inquiring likewise into the readiness of LGUs in implementing the government’s vaccination program and other urgent local concerns.
Nograles is the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for the Caraga region.
The meeting, done through teleconference, was attended by NSC Deputy Director General Damian Carlos, Agusan del Norte Governor and RDC Caraga Chairperson Dale Corvera, Surigao del Sur Governor and RPOC Caraga Chairperson Ayec Pimentel, Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane, Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco Matugas, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel of Tandag City, DILG Regional Director Beth Famacion, OCD Regional Director Liza Mazo, local chief executives, regional directors, government officials and reps from other government agencies.
The Malacanang official praised the quick response of the concerned councils, agencies and stakeholders in addressing the concerns of the population after the typhoon swept through the area.
“Kailangan natin magtulungan. We saw the readiness and cooperation of the people of Caraga in times of crisis and need. LGUs were constantly giving updates. We effectively coordinated using our Operation Listo Disaster Preparedness Protocols.”
The Cab Sec further emphasized that the meeting was “fruitful,” noting that “our local stakeholders were able to raise their concerns to the national government and the national government in turn quickly addressed these concerns. This is good governance in action.”
Nograles reported that President Rodrigo Duterte visited Tandag City in Surigao del Sur last Tuesday to manage and lead the distribution of relief assistance because as a fellow Mindanaoan, the President wanted to personally offer comfort and aid to those who were affected by the weather disturbance.
Lastly, the former Davao legislator reminded LGU leaders and non-government organizations alike in Caraga to accelerate the information drive on the Duterte administration’s nationwide vaccination campaign, stressing that it was important to make the population ready in time for the vaccine’s arrival in 2021.
