(SALUTATIONS)

NAIMBAG NGA BIGAT KADAKAYO AMIN.

AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE TASK FORCE BUILD BACK BETTER, ALLOW ME TO EXTEND MY DEEP APPRECIATION  TO THE DIFFERENT NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES  AND REGIONAL AND LOCAL OFFICES HERE IN CAGAYAN,  FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS IN MAKING OUR EVENT HAPPEN TODAY.

I AM ALSO EXTENDING MY SINCEREST GRATITUDE  TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF CAGAYAN,  LED BY HONORABLE GOVERNOR MANUEL MAMBA,  TO GOVERNOR RODOLFO ALBANO OF ISABELA, GOVERNOR DAKILA CARLO CUA OF QUIRINO, TO THE HEADS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS OF LAL-LO AND GATTARAN, MAYOR OLIVER PASCUAL // AND MAYOR MATTHEW NOLASCO,  FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THIS UNDERTAKING.

NOONG NAKARAANG TAON, NAKITA PO NATIN ANG PINSALANG IDINULOT NG BAGYONG ULYSSES SA MGA PROBINSYA NG REHIYON NG CAGAYAN VALLEY. THE TYPHOON LEFT MILLIONS OF DAMAGES IN THE REGION’S AGRICULTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE,AND THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES AFFECTED.

TODAY,  WE ARE HERE ON A MISSION: TO REDUCE THE PERENNIAL FLOODING IN THE REGION OF CAGAYAN VALLEY.

DURING OUR CABINET MEETING IN DECEMBER, THE PRESIDENT, HIMSELF,  APPROVED THE WIDENING OF THE MAGAPIT NARROWS  AND THE REMOVAL OF THE 19 SANDBARS IN CAGAYAN RIVER.

OUR GOVERNMENT IS TAKING THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. AS YOU CAN SEE,  THE EQUIPMENT AND ASSETS OF OUR GOVERNMENT  ARE NOW READY TO START THE MISSION. THE DREDGING EQUIPMENT OF THE DPWH AND THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES // ARE ALREADY DEPLOYED IN OUR PRIORITY AREAS.

IN OUR LINE UP, OUR FIRST PRIORITY IS THE REMOVAL OF THE THREE SANDBARS IN BARANGAY BANGAG, LAL-LO  AND THE BARANGAYS OF CASICALLAN NORTE AND DUMMUN IN GATARAN.  THE THREE SANDBARS HAVE A TOTAL ESTIMATED VOLUME OF SEVEN MILLION CUBIC METERS,  COVERING 235 HECTARES OF SANDBAR.

WHILE THE DREDGING IS A STRATEGIC MOVE IN THE SHORT-TERM,  REST ASSURED THAT OUR MEDIUM- AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS FOR THE FLOODING IN CAGAYAN VALLEY ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.  OUR DREDGING PROGRAM IS ALSO COUPLED WITH NATURE-BASED SOLUTION  SUCH AS THE PLANTING OF BAMBOOS IN STABILIZING OUR RIVER BANKS.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT THE DEVELOPMENT OF BAMBOO PLANTATIONS IN THE REGION SO WE CAN PROVIDE LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES TO CAGAYANOS.

THIS IS A WHOLE-OF-SOCIETY APPROACH.  OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IS ENJOINING EVERYONE, // FROM OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS  TO OUR LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT UNITS,  REGIONAL AGENCIES, PRIVATE SECTOR AND CIVIL SOCIETY,  TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MISSION.

ITO AY SIMULA PA LAMANG PO NG ATING MGA PLANO UPANG MABAWASAN ANG MAPAMINSALANG BAHA  SA REHIYON NG CAGAYAN VALLEY.  AASAHAN NAMIN ANG INYONG PATULOY NA SUPORTA  HANGGANG MAPAGTAGUMPAYAN NATIN ANG MISYONG ITO.

MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT!