Capitol to Lacson: Include Cebu in Rehab

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said he will write to former senator and now Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson to ask him to extend the on-going rehabilitation efforts to the northern Cebu, being also affected by the super typhoon Yolanda last year.

“I will write to Lacson (and tell him) what we have done here so far, and (give him) assessment,” said Davide in an interview.

Davide said in his letter he would request Lacson to also give “priority” to the northern Cebu towns, which were also badly hit by Yolanda, and “help us secure necessary funds for our rehabilitation programs.”

Earlier, the governor admitted that the province could not do it alone especially that it would need at least P26.8 billion to restore all damaged public buildings, houses, and agricultural farms.

For now, three months since Yolanda struck, the Capitol relies on the help from private individuals and non-government organizations.

Last Monday, the Provincial Board approved a resolution asking Lacson to include Cebu province in the rehab and not only focus on Leyte and Samar.

Lacson had earlier announced that the rehab will start in full-swing between this month and March.

He also assured that there is P170 billion in available funds for the construction of new houses for the affected families in the affected areas.