KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabatoย โ The Cotabato provincial government distributed 100 brand-new Toyota Lite Ace rescue vehicles to barangays across the province on Thursday, October 30, as part of efforts to boost local disaster response and preparedness.
Governor Emmylou โLalaโ Taliรฑo-Mendoza led the turnover ceremony at the provincial capitol in Kidapawan City, joined by Vice Governor Rochella Marie Taliรฑo Taray, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, municipal mayors, and barangay representatives.
Cotabato, composed of 17 towns and one city, rolled out the initiative to ensure that every barangay has a vehicle ready for emergencies โ from medical transport to disaster relief operations.
โThis is about empowering our barangays to respond faster and save more lives,โ Mendoza said in her message during the event.
Before the turnover, Catholic priests Arnel Cabrera and Hipolito Paracha presided over a thanksgiving Mass at the capitol. Father Jessie Esparagoza of the Diocesan Clergy of Kidapawan later blessed the new vehicles in the presence of provincial and local officials.
Mendoza also chairs the Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. She also chairs the Regional Development Council 12, which covers four provinces and four cities in Region 12.
Each beneficiary barangay received one customized rescue unit designed to meet their specific emergency response needs.
(Photo Courtesy: John Unson)
About The Author
