Aquino approves in principle ‘Yolanda’ rehabilitation plan

President Benigno Aquino III, left. AP PHOTO/MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU, ROBERT VINAS

MANILA, Philippines — President Aquino on Wednesday “approved in principle many of the items” included in the “Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan,” which was presented during a Cabinet meeting, said his spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Citing the presentation made by Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Lacierda said the plan would involve three phases, (1) “to provide immediate assistance to affected areas, (2) expand initiatives and programs in the medium term, and (3) reach full recovery and rehabilitation in the long term.”

“The President approved in principle many of the items cited, but asked Secretary Balisacan and other pertinent members of the Cabinet for more specific details before providing formal approval,” Lacierda said in a statement.

The Cabinet will meet again on Friday, November 29, “to present further refinements to the plan, especially to the immediate actions to be taken,” according to Lacierda.

President Aquino is set to ask Congress to approve a P2.268-trillion national budget for 2014 to cover funding for the massive rehabilitation of Eastern Visayas after supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan).