Aquino transfers Yolanda rehabilitation efforts to Neda
Months after Panfilo Lacson resigned as rehabilitation czar, President Benigno Aquino III ordered the transfer of the functions of his former office to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
On Saturday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. announced that Aquino has issued Memorandum Order No. 79, which was signed by Aquino and took effect on April 22.
“The Order paves the way for the ‘winding of affairs’ and transfer of the of the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of all disaster-related programs, projects and activities from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (Oparr) to the National Economic and Development Authority, tapping the existing Clusters on Infrastructure, Resettlement, Social Services, Livelihood and Support,” Coloma said in a statement.
Coloma said Neda will use existing mechanisms under an executive order (EO No. 376, series 1989), which establishes a regional project monitoring and evaluation system, to monitor programs and projects for the recovery and rehabilitation of provinces affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”
The Secretary said the memorandum aims to ensure that there will be continuity and that the implementation of the projects will have a “more efficient evaluation and reporting to the President.”
In December last year, Aquino accepted Lacson’s resignation as presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery. Back then Lacson, a former senator, said he would wind up his duties until February 10, 2015.
READ: Lacson to quit as rehab czar in February 2015
Before his resignation, Lacson lamented the limited implementation powers of his position and the problems he encountered while coordinating with local government units.
READ: Lacson frustrated over rehab’s pace, 2 Cabinet execs/Aquino accepts Lacson resignation as rehab czar
In November 8, 2013, “Yolanda” hit Eastern Samar and nearby provinces, killing more than six thousand people. TVJ
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