Tacloban City, Leyte thanks Aquino Administration for helping them recover from devastation
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) Provincial Governor Dominic Petilla expressed his profound gratitude to the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III for helping the province rebuild and rehabilitate after the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" last week.
“In behalf also of the people of the province of Leyte, pasalamat din kami sa inyo, sa ating mga national agencies—sa Pangulo, sa mga pangulo rin ng mga ibang bansa na so far nagpadala ng teams nila dito. It has started to normalize dito sa province,” Petilla said in a meeting with different government agencies on Sunday at the Leyte Sports complex.
“It’s very easy now to start rebuilding, to start lahat ng mga operations na gagawin pa natin. And it may not be perfect, parang tulad ng naririnig natin sa ibang sources, na it may not be perfect pero ‘iyan ang nandiyan naaasahan, magtulungan tayo,” he said.
The provincial government of Leyte will always support the initiatives of the Aquino administration through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Petilla said.
Tacloban City, through its City Administrator lawyer John Tecson Lim said, the city administration, thanked the national government as well for assisting Tacloban City recover from the devastation of typhoon Yolanda.
“The city government of Tacloban and the entire city and its people truly appreciate the great effort of the national government that has been given,” Lim said.
Although there are some commitments that the city administration may have not met, Lim said it would continue to coordinate with the national government.
“Follow the leadership of the national government, particularly ‘yung sa mga efforts na ginagawa ninyo. I would just like to take this opportunity also to say that we already are looking into the recovery process,” he said.
The city is looking to building a safer and stronger city with the help of experts and modern technology, according to Lim.
City officials will have preliminary meetings with Architect Palafox next week hoping that Tacloban will get up from the devastation and prevent such large-scale destructions in the future, Lim said. PND (as)
Department of Social Welfare and Development Starts its food work program in Tacloban City
(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) The Department of Social Welfare and Development has already started its “Food-for-Work” program in the City of Tacloban, which was one of the hard-hit areas by super typhoon "Yolanda" last week.
DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman issued the statement during a meeting with the concerned government agencies involved in the relief and recovery efforts in Tacloban.
“We’ve also started the food-for-work in conjunction with the City of Tacloban, and that means we will be able to cleanup a significant portion of the astrodome, which is the biggest evacuation center so far,” she said.
Secretary Soliman said that her agency will continue to do the said program for the rest of the coming days. She said that they have already designated three hubs—Tacloban, Guiuan, and Ormoc—for the distribution of the relief goods.
She said that so far, the government has distributed a total of 430,435 food and rice packs, as well as water and high-energy biscuits, to the areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda.
The DSWD secretary said that in Tacloban alone, they have served a total of 114 out of 138 barangays in the city. “We still have to serve 24, which we will do today,” she added.
In Leyte, Soliman said, the government has reached all 40 municipalities. “And that means in Leyte, we have served all. And in Eastern Samar, we have served nine municipalities,” she said.
She pointed out that they have already started providing tents and tarpaulins for the evacuations centers. In addition to the tents, she said that the agency will also be bringing in other non-food items within the day. PND (co)
President Aquino declares November 2013 as ‘Civil Engineering Month’
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared November 2013 as "Civil Engineering Month" to underscore the need to focus national attention on the importance of the civil engineering profession and highlight its role in nation building.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 680 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on November 5.
The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. (PICE) is an organization composed of more than 74,000 registered civil engineer-members in 96 chapters and some 39,668 civil engineering student-members in 179 student chapters throughout the country.
President Aquino called on all civil engineers and students to give the observance of the “Civil Engineering Month” their full support.
The history of civil engineering as a profession dates back to 1920 when the Philippine Society of Civil Engineers (PSCE) was founded by a group of civil engineers mostly in government. In 1937, a group of civil engineers from the private sector organized the Philippine Association of Civil Engineers (PACE).
Realizing that the two organizations shared the same objectives of raising the standards of the profession, encouraging research and engineering knowledge and technology, fostering fellowship among their members, and promoting interrelation with other technological and scientific societies, the PSCE and PACE merged in 1972 to form what is now known as the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers. PND (js)
President Aquino speeds up recovery and reconstruction efforts to restore normalcy in regions hardest-hit by super typhoon 'Yolanda'
The Aquino government is speeding up the recovery and reconstruction efforts to restore normalcy in regions hit by super typhoon "Yolanda" (internationally known as Haiyan) and maintains its conservative stance for the country's economy, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said on Sunday.
In an interview aired over government-run radio station DzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Coloma said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan projected that the country’s economic performance would not be affected much with the destruction caused by Yolanda.
"Ayon po kay Secretary Arsenio Balisacan ng National Economic and Development Authority, hindi naman po inaasahang malaki ang magiging epekto nito sa ating GDP growth sa taong ito, sapagkat nasa buwan na po tayo ng Nobyembre at nakatapos na po tayo ng 10 sa 12 buwan ng isang taon," Coloma said.
"Yun naman pong populasyon ng Eastern Visayas region ay 4.5 percent po ng kabuuang populasyon ng bansa, at ang kanila pong kontribusyon sa ating gross domestic product ay 2.2 percent—‘yan po ang kanilang regional contribution. Kaya kung tatayahin po ay maaaring less than one percent ng GDP ang apektado," Coloma said.
The Economic Development Cluster of the Cabinet earlier formed an interagency task force to craft the action plan, focusing on the immediate and near-term actions needed to rebuild facilities, restore social services and revive economic activities in regions hit by Typhoon Yolanda.
"Gayunpaman ay tinututukan po ito nang husto, sapagkat maaaring ang pangmatagalang epekto nito ay mararamdaman sa darating na taon, kaya ito po ang tututukan ng ating pamahalaan," Coloma said. PND (js)
Department of Labor and Employment sets up information assistance center in Paranaque City
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has set up information assistance center to answer queries from the public on the on-going relief and recovery efforts in the wake of the destruction wrought by super typhoon Yolanda, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said on Sunday.
In an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Coloma said President Benigno S. Aquino III directed Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz to set-up a 24/7 information assistance center (IAC) to accept calls from the public regarding the on-going relief and recovery efforts.
"Para sa lahat po ng mga gustong mag-volunteer at magbigay ng donasyon, nag-set up na po sina Secretary Baldoz ng 24/7 Information Assistance Center (IAC) on donations and volunteers," Coloma said.
The IAC is located at the Fourth Floor of Cargohaus in Brgy. Vitalez, NAIA Complex, Paranaque City, Coloma said.
"At simula po ‘nung makalawa ay nagsimula na silang tumanggap ng mga inquiries para maging maayos ang pagdaloy ng mga donasyon at ang partisipasyon ng mga volunteer na nais tumulong sa kasalukuyang relief operations," Coloma said.
The information assistance is a call center with telephone number 459-2131, Coloma said.
"At doon naman po sa DOLE call center hotline: 527-8000. At muli po, nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga kababayan para po sa pagkakaisa ng lahat at pag-aambag. Kung meron po tayong maitutulong, ito po ay most welcome ng ating pamahalaan," the Communication Secretary said.
"Katulad po ng sinabi ng ating Pangulo, ang pangunahing inaasahan sa pagbangon at pagsasaayos ay ang mga local governments at handa naman pong tumulong ang ating pambansang pamahalaan. At nananalig po tayo na dahil sa pagkilos ng lahat ng mga mamamayan at pagmamalasakit sa ating mga kababayan, mapapabilis po ang pagbangon at pagbabagong-tatag ng mga apektadong kabuhayan," he said. PND (js)
Palace assures sustained assistance for Yolanda Victims
Malacanang on Sunday reassured victims of super typhoon "Yolanda" the government will sustain its assistance to them.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said this was the order of no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III.
"Tinitiyak po ng ating Pangulo at ng ating pamahalaan na magiging sustained... tuloy-tuloy po ang paghahatid sa kanila ng pagkain at kagyat na pagtulong hanggang makabangon po sila at mag-umpisa nang makabalik sa normal nilang mga buhay (The President and our government assure sustained assistance to those affected by Yolanda.
We will continue to deliver food and relief items to help them recover)," Coloma said over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
He said Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson reported the Greater Leyte Water District has resumed service and is supplying water to Leyte, including Tacloban.
He also said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has deployed engineers and workers to clear affected areas of trash and debris.
Coloma added local governments in Metro Manila had adopted many of the affected towns.
For its part, the Bureau of Immigration has loosened visa and work permit requirements for volunteers from abroad who want to help in relief efforts.
Meanwhile, the Communications Secretary lauded relief workers for their sacrifices, saying they serve as an inspiration to others.
"Ang kanilang kasipagan at pagmamalasakit ay nagsisilbing huwaran at ispirasyon sa ating mga kababayang nagkakaisa sa pagpupunyagi at pananalangin hinggil sa pagbangon at pagbabagong-tatag ng mga nasalantang pamayanan (Their hard work is an example and inspiration to others as the victims recover)," he said. PND (jl)
Palace says no major economic impact from super typhoon Yolanda
Malacanang on Sunday said the destruction brought by super typhoon Yolanda should not cause any major impact on the economy.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said socioeconomic planning secretary Arsenio Balisacan pointed out that the impact will not be that great on the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
"Ayon kay Secretary Balisacan, hindi naman po inaasahang malaki ang magiging epekto nito sa ating GDP growth sa taong ito, sapagkat nasa buwan na po tayo ng Nobyembre at nakatapos na po tayo ng 10 sa 12 buwan ng isang taon," he said on government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
He noted the population of Eastern Visayas is 4.5 percent of the country's population, contributing 2.2 percent to the Gross Domestic Product.
However, the Communications Secretary stressed this does not mean the government can afford to neglect the region.
"Gayunpaman ay tinututukan po ito nang husto, sapagkat maaaring ang pangmatagalang epekto nito ay mararamdaman sa darating na taon, kaya ito po ang tututukan ng ating pamahalaan (We will still take care of the region because Yolanda's effects will be felt there for some time)," he said. PND (jl)
Aquino government welcomes plan of international community to implement ‘Adopt-a-Community' program
The Aquino government welcomed the plan of the international community to implement 'Adopt-a-Community" program to restore normalcy in regions hit by super typhoon "Yolanda" (internationally known as Haiyan), Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said on Sunday.
"Welcome din po ang mga inisyatibang ‘yan, lalong-lalo na kung makikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga local government units (LGUs), sapagkat mahalaga po ‘yan doon sa maayos na pagsasagawa ng mga programang pang-kalinga, Coloma said in an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
The international community is eyeing an "Adopt-a-Community" scheme to help communities in Leyte, Samar and other areas to recover in the wake of the destruction wrought by Typhoon Yolanda.
Coloma encouraged the international community to coordinate with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) which is also eyeing to implement "Adopt-a-City/Town" program for typhoon-ravaged communities.
"Ang mga alkalde ng lahat ng 17 lungsod sa Metro Manila ay naglunsad ng programang "Adopt an LGU" na naglalayong tulungan at bigyang agapay ng bawat LGU ang mga bayang nasalanta bilang paghahanda sa rehabilitasyon at pagbabagong-tatag ng mga nasalantang pamayanan," the Communications Secretary said.
The project entails Metro Manila cities "adopting" two or more localities affected by Yolanda. Last November 14, the 17 local government officials of the Metro Manila identified which localities were most in need of "adoption."
"Maaari rin po ‘yang pangasiwaan ng ating Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, meron din po tayong League of Municipalities, League of Cities, at meron pang League of Vice Mayors," Coloma said.
"Masinsin naman po ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng ating mga lokal na ehekutibo at lokal na pamahalaan. Wala pong dahilan kung bakit hindi po mapapaigting ‘yan, lalong-lalo na sa kasalukuyang panahon ng kalamidad," he said. PND (js)
United Nation-initiated action plan to help Ph received $72-M in aid
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) said its financial tracking services have so far received $72 million worth of projects under the Haiyan Action Plan for the rebuilding and reconstruction of typhoon-hit areas.
Following the massive devastation brought about by super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan), the UN initiated a campaign of raising $301 million in aid package to help the Philippines deal with one of the biggest humanitarian disasters in the world.
UN OCHA estimates that 12.9 million people have been affected by the super typhoon in areas covering nine regions, namely Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Bicol, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga.
Yolanda has also displaced around 1.9 million people and damaged 285,993 houses, the UN agency said.
Matthew Cochrane, the spokesperson for the UN OCHA, noted the Philippine government is one of the most prepared countries in the Asian region in terms of coordinating relief and recovery efforts especially in the aftermath of Yolanda that destroyed most parts of the Visayas region last week.
“The government is a very important part for the United Nations, and as you know, it’s one of the better prepared governments in the region and around the world,” Cochrane said in an interview Saturday.
Cochrane praised the Philippine government for the role it played during the typhoon response and in other disasters. The coordination has been good and strong and the sharing of information between the UN and local authorities is also very good, he said.
“Our role in the community in the international community is to support the government. This is the government’s response. We are not here to run the show. We are here to support the show,” he said.
“We will be here as long as our assistance is needed. It’s very important that the international community has answered the call of the Philippine government. We have come to provide the support that we can and people don’t need to worry,” he added.
It is coordinating with more than 20 international organizations helping in the relief and rehabilitation campaign.
Food, water, medical care and sanitation are the priorities of relief organizations, and UN organizations are helping to care for the sick and the injured and provide shelter.
Cochrane also underscored the need for the UN agencies to focus on education and communication. PND (as)
Yolanda-affected coops may seek help from ERC, NEA on power bills
Electric cooperatives affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda may seek help from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and National Electrification Administration (NEA), Malacanang said Sunday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the ERC can authorize added capital expenditures for electric cooperatives.
"Maaari rin pong mabigyan ng pautang ng National Electrification Administration ang mga hihiling na electric power cooperatives sa mas mababang interes at mas mahabang panahon para maging magaan para sa mga mamamayan (They can also seek help from the NEA for lower interest rates and longer loan payment times. This should mean lower power rates for consumers)," he said on government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
But Coloma also clarified a planned rate increase by the Manila Electric Co. would not affect areas hit by Yolanda.
He said Eastern Visayas, one of the worst-hit areas, is not under Meralco's coverage area.
"Pero linawin lang po natin, ‘yun pong Meralco rate increase wala pong epekto sa Eastern Visayas, sa Zamboanga, at sa Bohol, at sa Cebu dahil hindi naman po sakop ng franchise area nila ang mga nasabing lugar (Let me clarify the Meralco rate hike has no effect on the Visayas or Mindanao because that is not in their franchise area)," he said. PND (jl)
Palace welcomes CNN anchor's praise for characteristic strength of Filipinos
Malacanang on Sunday welcomed the tribute that CNN anchor Anderson Cooper paid to Filipinos affected by super typhoon "Yolanda."
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said it was indeed good that Cooper thanked Filipinos for showing others how to live.
"Ikinalulugod po natin ang patuloy na pagpapahayag ng suporta ng iba’t ibang mga indibidwal, grupo, at bansa dahil malaki po ang maitutulong nito sa pagpapaangat ng ating morale, ‘yun pong public morale, lalo po doon sa mga nandoon mismo sa calamity areas (We welcome the show if support from various parties. It lifts our public morale, particularly that of the people in calamity areas)," he said on government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
He also echoed President Benigno Aquino III's call to media to help lift the morale of people especially at this time.
Coloma said Filipinos especially need something to perk up their spirits.
"Kailangan po natin ngayon ang katatagan ng kalooban para po mas maging mabilis ang pagbabagong-tatag ng ating mga nasalantang pamayanan (What we need is strength so we can continue helping affected areas)," he said. PND (jl)
Palace: System in place to identify 'Yolanda' fatalities
Malacanang on Sunday assured the public a system is now in place to identify the fatalities left by super typhoon "Yolanda."
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said such a system was outlined by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
"Susundin ‘yung protocol hinggil diyan. At isa sa mga natalakay kahapon ‘yung, sa halip na naka-expose ang mga cadaver at saka ‘yung mga body bag sa tabi ng lansangan, pansamantala munang ilalagay ang mga ito sa mga mabababang libingan para ma-facilitate ang pag-a-identify ‘pag hahantong na po sa yugtong ‘yon (We will follow the protocol for identifying the dead. But we may temporarily bury the remains in a shallow grave instead of leaving them on the street)," he said on government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
He also said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin took up other measures to address the matter.
Citing information from the Department of Health, he said there has been progress on the issue.
Yolanda left more than 3,000 dead after it ravaged Visayas and Southern Luzon.
"Nakapaglibing na po ng maraming nasawi dahil sa kalamidad. Nasa ayos naman po ang kalagayan ng mga body bags na inihahanda sa mga appropriate burial sites. Kaya sa ngayon po ay naisaayos na ang programa ng pagpapalibing sa mga nasawi (Many have buried their dead and body bags have been properly placed in appropriate burial sites. We are ironing out details for burying the dead)," he said. PND (jl)
Asian Development Bank official lauds Filipino nation for showing resilience following Yolanda's destruction
An official of the Asian Development Bank lauded the Aquino government for its relief and rehabilitation efforts following the massive destruction brought by super typhoon "Yolanda" (internationally known as Haiyan).
In an interview aired over CNN, Rajat M. Nag, Managing Director General of the ADB, commended the government and the entire Filipino nation for showing incredible strength and resilience despite the massive devastation wrought by the world's worst typhoon to hit this year.
"Look, I live here and I know how it feels like from Atlanta, but they did the best they could. This is difficult. This is the worst storm ever and, from some reports, worst ever on the planet. And this is a country coping with it," Nag said.
"Warnings were given. Storm surge warnings were given. But, look, this is a very difficult part of the country—the poorest part of the country. But I would say, under the circumstances, the government did all they could. They are doing all they can," he said.
"I think the international community now really must give, rally behind the government, and support. There will be enough time later for post-mortems," he said.
Last Friday, the ADB expressed its commitment to President Benigno S. Aquino III to provide $23 million in grants to the Philippines to address immediate needs for the victims of typhoon Yolanda.
During the courtesy call at the Malacanang Palace's Music Room on Friday, ADB President Takehiko Nakao relayed the ADB's commitment to President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Nakao told the Chief Executive that the ADB stands ready to provide a $500 million emergency loan to help reconstruct communities devastated by Typhoon Yolanda, also known internationally as Typhoon Haiyan.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) noted the Philippine government is one of the most prepared countries in the Asian region in terms of coordinating relief and recovery efforts especially in the aftermath of Yolanda that destroyed most parts of the Visayas region last week.
Matthew Cochrane, the spokesperson for the UN OCHA, praised the Philippine government for the role it played during the typhoon response and in other disasters. The coordination has been good and strong and the sharing of information between the UN and local authorities is also very good, he said. PND (js)
