Aquino signs ‘Yolanda’ rehabilitation plan

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Almost a year after Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) devastated the Visayas, President Benigno Aquino III signed the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP).

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said that Aquino approved on Wednesday the 8,000-page plan, which outlines the national government’s commitment to implement over 25,000 rehabilitation and recovery specific plans and programs and activities (PPAs).

Coloma said that according to Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Secretary Panfilo Lacson, “the PPAs are envisioned to bring forth the recovery of the  171 affected cities and municipalities in 14 provinces and six regions.”

He said the PPAs require a total amount of P167.9 billion, which would aim to restore the following sectors:

• Infrastructures which are necessary to sustain economic and social activities in the affected areas;
• Settlements and basic community facilities and services that are more resilient to hazard events;
• Livelihood and continuity of economic activities and business; and
• Resilience and capacities of communities in coping with future hazard events.

Lacson in August submitted to Aquino the 8,000-page master plan to rehabilitate the provinces ravaged by Yolanda.

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