ROCKY ROAD Large rocks came with avalanches of volcanic ash and mud from the slopes of
Mayon Volcano triggered by heavy rains and ferocious winds brought by Typhoon “Rolly” as it
lashed Albay province on Sunday. The rocks and volcanic flowswept away houses and rendered
roads impassable in San Francisco village, Guinobatan town, raising complaints against quarrying
in the province that President Duterte ordered investigated. —GEORGE GIO BRONDIAL
MANILA, Philippines — Forming a task force for the rehabilitation of typhoon-hit regions may be unnecessary since President Rodrigo Duterte is on top of the situation, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte earlier proposed the creation of a task force to lead the rehabilitation of the Bicol region and Calabarzon which were hit by typhoons Quinta and Rolly.
“If you notice, a task force perhaps is unnecessary because the style of the President is in case of disasters, he relies on the people on the ground right now,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over CNN Philippines.
Roque said that the Department of Public Works and Highways already prepositioned its equipment in hard-hit areas for its post-typhoon rehabilitation efforts.
As soon as all roads are passable, the Palace official assured that rehabilitation process will immediately be underway in the Bicol region.
“The President is on top of the rehabilitation effort, the task force may not be necessary because the President is personally attending to ensure that the rehabilitation of these devastated areas would proceed as soon as possible,” Roque said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 was raised over parts of the Bicol region over the weekend after then Super Typhoon Rolly made its landfall in Catanduanes.
Rolly, said to be the strongest tropical cyclone this year, left at least 16 people dead in the Bicol region.