“Dakkel nga bendisyon”: Gov. Edduba grateful for the ₱50M Typhoon Uwan aid allocated for Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Five areas in Kalinga, including the entire province, will benefit from a ₱50-million assistance released by the Office of the President for the rehabilitation of communities devastated by Super Typhoon Uwan.

Governor James S. Edduba described the funding as a “dakkel nga bendisyon” (great blessing) to the province, expressing gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the additional financial support despite the delay in its release.

The governor announced the allocation during the provincial government's flag-raising ceremony on October 26, 2026, at the Kalinga Sports Center in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

Based on information from the Office of the Provincial Treasurer (OPT-Kalinga), headed by Provincial Treasurer Ma. Theresa G. Basitao, the ₱50-million assistance was provided by the Office of the President to support recovery and rehabilitation initiatives in typhoon-hit areas.

Edduba identified Pasil, Tinglayan, Rizal, Tabuk City, and the Province of Kalinga as the intended beneficiaries of the assistance, based on the communication received by his office.

The governor said the provincial government will work with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) to determine which damaged facilities and areas should be prioritized for rehabilitation.

“We will discuss with the PDRRMO and the PEO kadagijay nai-report idi nga nadadael during Uwan ket isu ti mai-priority,” Edduba said.

He also acknowledged the national government's support, saying that although the funding arrived late, it would still provide substantial help to the province.

“Salamat President BBM, uray man naladaw nga sinmangpet daytoy ket dakkel latta dayta nga bendisyon ditoy probinsya tayo,” he added.

Damage from Typhoon Uwan

The ₱50-million allocation comes nearly a year after Super Typhoon Uwan battered Kalinga in November 2025, leaving extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, houses, and livelihoods.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), in its November 26, 2025 assessment said it affected 12,646 families or 54,561 individuals.

The typhoon damaged nearly 2,000 houses, 82 of which were totally destroyed, and claimed five lives.

Kalinga was placed under a state of calamity on November 11, 2025, to facilitate the mobilization of government resources for emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation.

The provincial government has yet to disclose the specific projects and corresponding amounts to be allocated to the five beneficiaries, pending the identification and prioritization of rehabilitation needs.