By Jessica M. Bacud
TUGUEGARAO CITY – Cagayan Governor Manuel N. Mamba recently led the turnover of heavy equipment, modern rubber boats, and rescue vehicles during the flag-raising rites at the Capitol grounds here.
A total of ten dump trucks, two self-loading cement mixers, one 6-cubic cement mixer, two wheel loaders, and one fuel tanker was turned over to the Provincial Engineering Office, Motorpool Division.
The modern rubber boats were handed to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in Lasam town as their reward during the Rescuelympics held in February, spearheaded by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office under Darwin Sacramed, the Provincial Administrator.
The Task Force Lingkod Cagayan received seven rubber boats, which will be distributed among its seven stations across the province, while five modern search and rescue vehicles were given to the PDRRMO.
In a statement through the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, Engr. Stanley Tungcul of the Provincial Engineering Office-Motorpool Division said additional heavy equipment — one bulldozer, two rams, and two excavators – are expected.
Tungcul emphasized the provincial government has procured an amphibious excavator that can be utilized competently in a wide range of applications, including flood and disaster recovery efforts, dredging, environmental remediation, and various construction projects.
He said Governor Mamba allocated a budget of P100 million for the equipment procured.
“The Provincial Government of Cagayan was able to save P20.7 million due to competitive bidding. The modern search and rescue vehicle is worth P3.5 million, while modern rubber boats cost P965,000 each,” he said.
Out of the P20.7 million savings, the province will be procuring additional heavy equipment, Mamba added.
