US donates P11.6M equipment to strengthen Cagayan’s disaster response

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated over Php11.6 million ($208,000) worth of equipment to enhance Cagayan province’s disaster response capabilities. The handover took place on Sept. 9 and 10.

USAID Mission Director Ryan Washburn presented a mobile storage unit, capable of storing 50,000 food packs, to Cagayan Provincial Administrator Atty. Maria Rosario Mamba-Villaflor. The unit will enable the provincial government to store and quickly distribute life-saving food and supplies following disasters.

“For many years, USAID has sent teams to Cagayan and other provinces in Northern Luzon to support local governments during calamities,” Washburn said. “As your friend, partner, and ally, the U.S. government remains committed to working with the Philippine government to rebuild and restore lives after disasters.”

USAID also solidified its partnership with Cagayan and the World Food Programme through the Preparedness and Response Excellence in the Philippines (PREP) project.

PREP aims to reduce disaster risks by improving irrigation systems, building flood-control dikes, introducing climate-resilient crops, and constructing evacuation centers. Additionally, the project offers cash-for-work training to help communities recover after disasters.

“People’s empowerment is at the heart of our disaster preparedness and governance programs,” Mamba-Villaflor said. “The governor extends his gratitude on behalf of the people of Cagayan.”

USAID also provided mobile energy systems (MES) to the municipalities of Lal-Lo and Santa Ana. These clean, solar-powered units will supply reliable energy for relief operations, restore power in disaster-stricken areas, and support essential services.

During his visit to Northern Luzon, Washburn also discussed USAID’s ongoing support for Tuguegarao City’s solid waste management system with OIC City Administrator Juanito Calubaquib and local officials.

He met with Cagayan Vice Governor Melvin Vargas Jr. to review USAID’s projects in the region and visited Santa Teresita municipality’s Emergency Operations Center, which USAID helped build more than a decade ago.

Since 2010, the U.S. government, through USAID, has provided approximately Php19.6 billion ($344 million) in disaster relief and recovery aid, enhancing the disaster risk reduction capacity of more than 100 cities and municipalities across the Philippines.