Palace: PHL Can Start Rehabilitation of ‘Yolanda’-hit LGUs

Manila (PNA) — The Philippines can begin the massive implementation of rehabilitation in local government units (LGUs) affected by powerful typhoon “Yolanda” worth Php96 billion, said a Palace official on Sunday.

In a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radio ng Bayan, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the LGU recovery and rehabilitation plans are part of the overall Php171-billion master plan for Yolanda-hit areas.

Coloma said such component, approved by President Benigno S. Aquino III last July 25 before his State-of-the-Nation (SONA) Address, was based on post-disaster needs assessment undertaken by the LGUs.

These LGUs are Cebu, Western Samar, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Iloilo and Tacloban City, covering 104 out of the 171 Yolanda-affected municipalities.

“Kaya ‘yan po ang in-approve at ‘yan po ay ipapatupad na simula sa ngayon. Noon pang pang pagka-approve ‘non ay pwede na pong maipatupad ‘yon,” he said.

Coloma said other programs included in the comprehensive plan need to undergo the vetting process by the Cabinet.

“At isasagawa naman po itong prosesong ito sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.

“Ngunit habang kinukumpleto pa ‘yung para sa kabuuan ng CRRP (Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan) na ang total na gastusin ay humigit-kumulang P171-billion, ‘yung nauna na na LGU rehabilitation plan for implementation na po ‘yon, at available na rin ‘yung pondo para doon,” the PCOO chief added.

The CRRP is a full-scale master plan involving five clusters: infrastructure, livelihood, resettlement, social services and support.

President Aquino received the eight-volume CRRP report on August 1. (PNA) FPV/LDV/RSM