MANILA, Philippines – Governor Joey Salceda was among the personalities thanked and lauded by President Benigno Aquino III during his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) because of Albay’s zero casualty record during the onslaught of typhoon “Glenda” earlier in the month.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Aquino said no one died because the local government was able to organize prompt evacuation, saving many lives from the wrath of the typhoon, which left around a hundred people dead in other parts of the country.
Salceda, who was wearing a conspicuously large yellow ribbon on his barong Tagalog, was seen shyly smiling, not expecting the praise and attention given by the President.
During his speech, Aquino said the government has also implemented a number of technology-driven programs including a system that allows monitoring of river systems for flooding.
He also lauded the government agencies for the “prompt” rehabilitation of provinces devastated by super typhoon “Yolanda.”
He pointed out that the three months transition to rehabilitation, from relief, was better compared to the experiences of other countries.
RELATED STORIES
Aquino Sona: Laguna dike, Subic green city among projects eyed by gov’t
Nancy Binay becomes Sona social media hot topic