‘Yolanda’ survivors ready for normalcy—Lacson

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines—Nearly half-a-year after Super Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated Eastern Visayas, the Rehabilitation Czar said that the survivors are ready for normalcy.

Presidential Assistant for Recovery and Rehabilitation Panfilo Lacson said in a statement that they have undertaken measures that could result in normalcy for the “Yolanda” survivors.

“Without mental reservation, I dare say, we are on track in giving back normalcy to the lives of the survivors,” Lacson said Tuesday.

He said that while waiting for the Post Disaster Needs Assessment that the Office for Civil Defense would submit to the Cabinet, his group undertook measures to help disaster victims.

According to the statement, five clusters involved in the rehabilitation effort are headed by Cabinet Secretaries.

Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways leads the Infrastructure cluster, Vice President Jejomar Binay heads Resettlement, Secretary Corazon Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development handles the Social Services cluster, Secretary Gregory Domingo of the Department of Trade and Industry lead  the Livelihood cluster, and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Neda Secretary General Arsenio Balicasan co-chair the Support cluster.

Along with the PDNA, the five clusters’ action plans and programs would form part of the Master Plan.

Lacson said that the Infrastructure cluster has submitted its action plan.

To further bolster the rehabilitation process, Lacson said local government officials are also taking part in the planning process.

“We have advised the provincial governors and the Tacloban City mayor to come up with their own provincial and city rehabilitation plans,” Lacson said.

He said that Cebu and Leyte have submitted their rehabilitation plans on April 25 and 26 respectively while Tacloban City is scheduled to present its plans on May 10.

Western Samar, Biliran are scheduled to present their plans this month.

According to Lacson, 200,000 housing units need to be resettled or rebuilt with 182,843 currently in the pipeline of the National Housing Authority and the private donors.

He said that 14,873 are being built as of Tuesday while 130 units have been completed.

Also, the private sector has played a vital role in education with 51 classrooms completed and 165 being constructed out of the 18,456 that needs repair.

“The public sector and private companies’ collaboration in the rehabilitation efforts have been very encouraging,” the former Police Chief said.

Fishermen were also in the good graces of the donors as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources distributed materials for 12,000 fishing boats while the private sector donated 877 fishing vessels.

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