MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / May 11, 2014) – Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Secretary Panfilo Lacson said the Aquino government has enough funds to reconstruct typhoon Haiyan-devastated areas in Eastern Visayas.
Lacson said all the government has to do is to comply with the requirements of the law and determine the spending capacity of each locality affected by the disaster.
He said the post-disaster assessment report is done and is awaiting President Benigno Aquino’s approval while the master rehabilitation plan is being prepared by his office.
The government, in its rehabilitation efforts, has forged tie-ups with the private sector, Lacson said, noting that it is getting help from 48 private companies and non-governmental organizations in different locations in Eastern Visayas.
He said at least 20 housing units will be turned over to beneficiaries in Tanauan town in Leyte province. Just recently, 20 housing units were also turned over to its beneficiaries in the town.
Lacson said the government is aiming to construct 216,966 housing units but has so far built only 26,000 housing units in safe zones.
Different government agencies, such as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Department of Science and Technology are now identifying safe areas for the construction of new residential areas, he said.
He said the government and the private sector are also actively providing livelihood to the typhoon victims, he added. In Western Samar, farmers have already harvested crops, after receiving seedlings a few months ago.
Lacson said there has been no reported mass hunger, epidemic or breakdown of law and order in the typhoon-stricken areas. Just recently, Lacson said two of Aquino’s cabinet members were not cooperating in the rehabilitation efforts for a still unknown reason.
Visayas was ravaged by Haiyan in November last year and had killed thousands of people in the provinces.
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