DBM to release P1.06B for rehab of areas damaged by ‘Pablo’
Floodwater with logs and uprooted trees destroyed the Caraga Bridge in Caraga town, Davao Oriental province. CONTRIBUTED FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Before Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” there was typhoon “Pablo” which killed more than one thousand people in Mindanao and left almost 90,000 homeless in December 2012.
With Filipinos in southern Philippines still reeling from its effects, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced on Thursday that it would release P1.06 billion for the rehabilitation of Davao Oriental, as well as the rebuilding and repair several bridges in Compostela Valley.
“Even as the Administration works with local officials and aid groups in securing aid for Yolanda-stricken communities, President Aquino is determined to continue rehabilitation efforts in several other areas that Typhoon Pablo swept through,” DBM Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said in a statement.
Abad said the government is looking forward to the restoration of normalcy and the full economic recovery of all affected communities.
The Secretary pointed out that Davao Oriental is the top coconut producer in the region and that the rebuilding of infrastructure “will create a significant and positive impact on the province’s ability to recover from Pablo’s devastation.”
Charged against the 2013 DPWH Budget, P517.4 million will be allotted for the reconstruction and repair of Caraga, Cateel, Taytayan, and Odiongan bridges in the roads spanning Surigao del Sur-Davao Oriental and Cateel-Compostela. Meanwhile, the remaining P543 million will be used to rehabilitate Mayo, Manurigao, Dapnan, Casauman, Quinonoan, and Baguan bridges, connecting the Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental Coastal Road.
“Together with the Contingency and Calamity Fund —with remaining balances of P824 million and P176 million, respectively– the P1.1-billion release will buoy the rehabilitation efforts for all affected communities in Davao Oriental,” Abad said.
President Benigno Aquino III has approved a budget of P10.53 billion for the rehabilitation plan of “Pablo”-affected areas. So far, the DBM has released P8.49 billion to the National Housing Authority and Department of Social Welfare and Development.
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