The Eastern Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC VIII), through the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) VIII, recognized the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office (NRO) VIII for its invaluable disaster response contribution during the Gabi ng Pagpupugay: A Night of Heroes in Palo, Leyte.

Twenty agencies (including NRO VIII), four local government units, and four civic groups were awarded plaques of appreciation in connection to the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations for Typhoons (TY) Odette and Agaton.

In his opening message, RDRRMC VIII Chairperson and OCD VIII Director Lord Byron O. Torrecarion said that despite the challenging four months with TY Odette and Agaton, the region witnessed bayanihan where everyone responded without prejudice and ego. Hence, the RDRRMC VIII would like to commend them.

TY Odette landed twice in Southern Leyte on 16 December 2021 and affected 1.28 million people in Eastern Visayas. Meanwhile, the heavy rains of Typhoon Agaton on 9-12 April 2022 resulted in deadly landslides killing over 200 people.

NRO VIII, as Chair of the RDRRMC VIII Rehabilitation and Recovery Cluster, spearheaded the formulation of the region’s TY Odette Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (RRP), dubbed Barog RRP. The RDRRMC VIII approved the Barog RRP on 26 January 2022, while the Regional Development Council VIII endorsed it on 31 March 2022.

Article and photo by: Geselle Frances P. Zeta/NRO VIII-PFPD