Posted on by Nicole Kasandra Lipawen

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista led the DSWD Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1) Satellite Warehouse soft inauguration in Barangay Camangaan, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on 17 May 2022.

(From left to right) Mr. Virgil Corpuz, Secretary Bautista, Laoag City Mayor Michael M. Keon, Mr. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, Regional Director Marie Angela S. Gopalan, and Assistant Regional Director for Operations Marlene Febes D. Peralta during the unveiling of the DSWD FO 1 Ilocos Norte Satellite Warehouse marker.

“Noong umupo po ako bilang Secretary ng DSWD ay pinagtuunan ko po talagang bigyang pansin na magkaroon ng warehouses ang aming mga Field Office dahil marami pong nasasayang na pondo dahil sa pagrerenta. Isa po sa kundisyon bago makapagpatayo ng warehouse ay dapat may sariling lupa kaya malaking pasasalamat ng DSWD kay G. Virgil Corpuz na nagbigay ng 2-hectare na lupa para maipatayo ang warehouse dito sa Ilocos Norte (When I became the DSWD Secretary, I really focused on establishing warehouses in our Field Offices because a lot of funds are utilized for rent. One of the conditions before building a warehouse is for the agency to have its own land, that is why the DSWD is very grateful to Mr. Virgil Corpuz who donated a 2-hectare land to build the DSWD warehouse here in Ilocos Norte),” said Secretary Bautista in his message.

“This will surely increase the capacity and efficiency of the Field Office in the production and storage of the relief items. Likewise, this would ensure that Food and Non-Food Items (FNFI) will be available and distributed immediately to the affected population,” the Secretary added.

“Ni Mrs. Baby Sacro iti nakaibaga nga agbirbirok tay DSWD iti daga nga pagpatakderan iti warehouse. Idi dinamag nak nu mabalin nga agited iti 2-hectare nga daga ket, why not kunak insigida. Iti maibagak met ket haan ko met maitugot and it feels good to help (Mrs. Baby Sacro said that DSWD is looking for a land to build a warehouse. When she asked me if I could donate a lot, I immediately said, why not? I can’t take that land to my grave, and it feels good to help),” shared Corpuz.

Aerial and establishing shots of the ongoing construction of the warehouse

The PhP50 million project was made possible with the initiative of Senator Imee R. Marcos. Based on the DSWD FO 1 data in 2021, a total of 251,735 FNFI were augmented in Region 1 to affected population due to disaster events. The warehouse is geared towards enhancing public service in Region 1 and nearby regions such as Region 2 and Cordillera Administrative Region. As of 12 May 2022, the physical accomplishments of its construction is at 46.81% and is set to be completed by February 2023. By: Nicole Kasandra A. Lipawen, Information Officer II