IRISE Distribution Rolled Out in Echague
The I-RISE Program (Isabela Recovery Initiative to Support Enterprises) was rolled out last November 20, 2020 at Soyung and Cabugao, municipality of Echague, Isabela. The distribution of the loan assistance was made by Governor Rodito T. Albano III, Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, Congressman Faustino “Inno” A. Dy V, Congressman Allan Ty of LPGMA and local officials and attended by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr..
The program is a joint undertaking of the PGI, DTI-R02, LPGMA and Small Business Corp. of Northern Luzon which aims to assist Micro and Small Enterprises and registered Cooperatives and Associations in the province, adversely affected during the Enhanced Community Quarantine as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic by giving them financial loan assistance.
Senator Bong Revilla joined our local officials during the distribution where he expressed sympathy and pledged assistance to the province for the damage caused by flooding brought by Typhoon Ulysses. In his message, the Senator said: “Ibayong pag-iingat ang kailangan dahil hindi lang epekto ng kalamidad ang ating hinaharap, tayo din ay kasalukuyang may pandemyang kinakaharap, ako ay tutulong sa mga pangangailangan ninyo sa abot ng aking makakaya”.
Governor Rodito expressed his gratitude to the senator for taking time to visit the province and for being an inspiration to the people. “Ang iyong pagdating sa probinsiya ay isa ng biyaya pagkat ikaw ay nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa lahat ng Isabeleño, nilagyan mo ng ngiti at tuwa ang bawat isa sa amin”.
Sen. Revilla graces TUPAD Payout in Echague
The final leg of TUPAD Wage Payout was made yesterday (November 20, 2020) at Echague, Isabela graced by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Governor Rodito T. Albano III, Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, Congressman Faustino “Ino” A. Dy V, LPGMA Rep. Congressman Allan Ty led the payout at barangays Pag-asa, Annafunan, San Fabian and Pangal Norte. A total of 1391 beneficiaries coming from 64 barangays of Echague received their wages during the payout at the locations mentioned.
Sen. Revilla joined the payout at San Fabian where he reminded the people to observe health protocols because the pandemic continues to spread all over the country. “Tayong mga Pilipino ay matatag sa kahit ano mang pagsubok, kasama ang mga leaders niyo sumasagupa tayo sa ano mang sakuna” he added.
Governor Rodito announced to the people that the TUPAD program will continue since the Bayanihan to Heal as one Act 2 is already signed into law and soon the funds will be downloaded to the local level.
First PRC Molecular Laboratory in Region 2 now open
November 19, 2020 – The first Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Molecular Laboratory in Region 2 to expand the testing capacity of COVID-19 is now open in the City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Located at the Isabela Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Complex, the PRC Molecular Laboratory was blessed and inaugurated earlier today, November 19, 2020, led by Senator Richard Gordon, Chair and Executive Officer of the PRC with Gov. Rodito Albano III, Vice Gov. Faustino Dy III, Cong. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, LPGMA partylist representative Allan Ty and local officials of Isabela. The inauguration was also witnessed by Iloilo City lone district representative, Congresswoman Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda, Mr. Robert Kaufman of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo.
Cong. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano and PRC Isabela Chapter Chairman said that the Molecular Laboratory, equipped with two (2) PCR machines and one (1) RNA extractor can process up to 2,000 tests a day in the fight against COVID-19.
“You can get the swabbing in other areas and they can be brought here. Puwede kayong mag-swab sa Abra, sa Quirino at dalhin dito and it can be finished within 24 hours,” Sen. Gordon said. He also said that the PRC will set-up a warehouse facility with payloader and other equipment to service Region 2.
“Matagal ko ng minimithi ito at palakpakan ninyo ang inyong mga leaders at naitabi nila itong lugar na ito para maitayo natin kaagad,” Senator Gordon said. The senator lauded the leadership of Gov. Rodito Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino Dy III. “I’m very proud of them because they create unity in our community. The Dys and Albanos are models of unity, solidarity and teamwork,” he added.
Meanwhile, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo said that the year 2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone especially in Isabela because amidst the fight against COVID-19, the province was hit by Typhoon Ulysses. Rabiya donated one hundred thousand (P100,000.00) pesos cash to the Provincial Government of Isabela for the typhoon victims.
“I’m very much honored to see people working together, people who are willing to give time and effort just to have this fight against COVID-19 virus. And one visible and tangible program that we have is this Philippine Red Cross Molecular Laboratory which is the backbone in order for us to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” Miss Mateo said.
Gov. Rodito Albano III expressed his gratitude to Senator Gordon and Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo. “Sa ngalan po ng Isabela, Ninong Dick, Miss Universe hayaan ninyo kaming magpasalamat. Inspiradong-inspirado po kami sa inyo at makakaasa kayo na ang Isabela ay babangon. Babangon po kami,” the governor said.
Gov. Albano pushes the creation of the Department of Water
November 15, 2020 – Gov. Rodito Albano III recommended the creation of the Department of Water during the visit of Vice President Leni Robredo earlier today at the Provincial Capitol, City of Ilagan, Isabela for her rescue efforts and bringing aid to worst-stricken areas affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.
“Madam Vice President, ito yung recommendation namin na sana magkaroon ng creation of Department of Water and Disaster Resilience Department. Sa Department of Water lang kami concern kasi para lahat ng water agencies magkaisa na saka para magkaroon ng isang datos lang,” Gov. Albano said.
Gov. Albano recommended the creation of the Department of Water that will oversee the collection of data of water resources and its management so that proper action from the national and local levels will be properly taken as far as flood mitigation and control is concerned. “Kasi hindi tayo makakapag-program ng ating mga gustong gawin kung walang datos. Kung magkakaiba yung datos, hindi natin mako-collate, hindi natin mapapag-aralan at hindi tayo makakapag-recommend ng proper action kasi walang data,” the governor said.
Prior to this, some citizens blamed the Magat Dam following the release of floodwaters that caused massive flooding in low-lying areas in Isabela and Cagayan. “Sinisisi yung dam. Walang kasalanan yung dam kasi kung hindi mag-release yung dam, mamamatay lahat ng tao dito, pag pumutok yung Magat Dam. So kailangan nila talagang mag-release,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Jimmy U. Rivera gave his Situation Update on the damages caused by Typhoon Ulysses in the province.
Rivera said that Isabela reported 3 deaths due to drowning and 2 missing persons. At least 392 barangays were affected from the 14 municipalities/cities of Santo Tomas, City of Ilagan, Cauayan City, Delfin Albano, Echague, Santa Maria, San Isidro, San Pablo, Gamu, Cabatuan, Naguilian, Quirino, and Reina Mercedes. As to damage report, an estimated cost of P143,981,942.62 in agriculture covering damage in crops such as corn, rice, high value crops, fisheries, livestock and solar irrigation system affecting 36,520 farmers.
“Hindi po exact ito gawa ng hindi pa makalakad ang ating mga Municipal Agriculture Officers gawa ng baha,” Rivera said.
