UNDP donates brand new vehicles for DICT's response efforts in Caraga Region
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY -- While enhancing the technical capabilities of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in Caraga Region, the department is also now equipped with brand new vehicles which they could use in monitoring and response operation in areas which will be affected by any typhoon, disaster, and emergency.
According to DICT Undersecretary of Resilient Government Emergency Communications Alan Silor, their personnel and responders had been utilizing their personal vehicles in going to different areas due to lack of resources of the agency.
“Essentially the essence there is that they’re using their own vehicles to serve the people. Not because they’re being told to, but because there were no other options. We could not even rent during the height of the typhoon, and during the response. So thank you very much, I really appreciate it so much,” Silor said.
The Undersecretary also expressed his gratitude to UNDP for the technical assistance through the provision of communication equipment such as the satellite phones and two-way radio sets, which were also used during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette.
“Our long standing partnership with UNDP is a testament to the commitment of the government to making the lives of the Filipino better. Again, we thank UNDP for this gracious assistance of equipment and vehicles to facilitate ease of coordination, response and even recovery in times of emergencies and disasters. These vehicles are truly an investment to the lives of the Filipino people and the country,” Silor added.
Meanwhile, UNDP Deputy Resident Edwine Carrie also stressed the relevance of its partnership with the government agencies in the country, as they continue to provide aid to vulnerable sectors.
Carrie further expressed optimism that the vehicles they donated to DICT would really be of great help not only to the agency but also with the Caraganons.
“We hope that these vehicles will benefit existing and supplement capacities to respond to the typhoon. and will enable the local authorities in moving towards recovery planning with equipment, additional sets,” Carrie said. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
