Sec. Lacson: Construction of vertical structures
to go full swing in Yolanda-hit areas soon
With roads and bridges no longer a major problem
in areas hit by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), Presidential Assistant on
Reconstruction and Recovery Panfilo M. Lacson expects the construction of
"vertical" structures to go full swing soon.
Lacson said at a media briefing in Malacañang
the "horizontal" structures like roads and bridges are no longer a
problem, and the private sector could now set up the vertical structures.
"We hope in the coming weeks mag-full swing
ang mga vertical. Sa ngayon walang problema sa horizontal, ang roads and
bridges. But ang vertical, as soon as possible, we are egging the private
sector especially development sponsors to put up structures already (We hope in
the coming weeks, the construction of vertical structures will go on full
swing. We now have no problem with horizontal structures like roads and
bridges. But we are egging the private sector especially the development
sponsors to put up vertical structures soonest)," he said.
Lacson noted rehabilitation work has started
moving in areas hit by Yolanda, and the affected areas had been divided into 24
areas of intervention.
He noted there have been many from the private
sector who agreed to be sectoral sponsors.
Also, he said his office has suggested to
private companies to "adopt" and start constructing structures in
affected areas.
"They are top corporations... Some of them
are already deep in their planning at saka may timetable na susundin para
magsimula ang rehabilitation (Some of them are deep in their planning and have
a timetable to follow in rehabilitation work)," he said.
So far, Lacson said the biggest challenge for
his office is coordination, though he noted that corporations have a social
responsibility to the people.
He added these corporations will likely remain
involved in rehabilitation work even after President Benigno Aquino III's term
ends on June 30, 2016.
"Iiwanan namin sila and they will just
carry on. Even beyond 2017 naroon pa rin sila, continue ang rebuilding efforts
(We will leave them and they will carry on. Even beyond 2017 they will still be
there to continue rebuilding efforts)," he said. PND (jl)
Palace says signing of annex on normalization on
Bangsamoro manifests government commitment to lasting peace in Mindanao
The signing of the Annex on Normalization and
Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels manifests the unshakeable
commitment of the Aquino government to achieve a genuine and lasting peace in
Mindanao, a Palace official said.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued
the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday
following the signing of the Annex on Normalization, the last of the four
Annexes to the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) last
Saturday.
"This was the culmination of a process that
Secretary Teresita Deles described as one characterized by “painstaking
deliberation,” and “discussion and internal consensus-building." According
to her, this process was “grounded on extensive consultations with concerned
local government units, religious and civil society leaders, and communities
especially in the conflict-affected areas,” Lacierda said.
"The news was met with an outpouring of
good wishes for the Philippines. Advocates of peace here at home and abroad
greeted this news with optimism." the Presidential spokesperson said.
He said the United States, United Kingdom,
Japan, Switzerland, and international bodies such as the European Union and the
United Nations, praised the Philippines for this achievement.
"This milestone gives the entire nation
confidence that the next steps in the peace process are on track. The work does
not end here. In particular, we look forward to the signing of the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. The Bangsamoro Transition Commission
is also working on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which our legislators will enact,
moving forward," Lacierda said.
The Framework on the Bangsamoro, signed on October
15, 2012, serves as a roadmap for the creation of a Bangsamoro entity that will
replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and lays down the
groundwork to achieve lasting and genuine peace in Mindanao.
"We believe that this achievement signals
the unshakeable commitment of the Philippines to all stakeholders in the
country, as well as people of good will in the world: that this process will
come to fruition, and that lasting peace and development in Muslim Mindanao are
at hand," he said. PND (js)
Lacson eyes separate office for disaster
rehabilitation, recovery
Presidential Assistant on Reconstruction and
Recovery Panfilo M. Lacson may recommend the creation of a permanent office
focusing on rehabilitation and recovery from calamities.
Lacson, in a briefing at Malacañang on Monday,
said this is due to the country being visited by an average of some 20 cyclones
a year.
"We'll be hit by calamities at least 20
times a year, depende sa magnitude (It depends on the magnitude). We might as
well have an institution that will focus on dealing with rehabilitation and
recovery," he said.
He said the proposed office would be different
from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, which has its own
mandate.
Besides, he said such an office could help
ensure continued help for affected areas if a calamity hits another country and
the international community's attention is diverted.
"Once another calamity of similar magnitude
tatama sa ibang lugar...iiwanan tayo ng multilaterals, that's my biggest
nightmare (Once another calamity of similar magnitude hits another country, we
may be left behind by multilateral agencies. That's my biggest
nightmare)," he said.
Meanwhile, Lacson assured they are thinking of
ways to accelerate the rebuilding of Tacloban City, which he said is the hub of
economic activities in the region.
But he also stressed the structures there should
meet minimum requirements, including being able to withstand winds of up to 250
kph and quakes of up to Intensity IX.
Hospitals should be able to convert into
communication and command centers, with their own power generator facilities
and continuous supply of food, water and medicines. PND (jl)
Aquino to lead 2013 The Outstanding Filipino
Award and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Performance
Awarding Ceremonies this week, Palace says
President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the
presentation of awards for The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) 2013 Awarding
Ceremonies and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) 2013
Agency Performance Awards this week, a Palace offcial said.
"Both seek to recognize men, women, and
organizations, that have exhibited excellence in their respective
fields—excellence that has contributed not only to their personal success, but
has also yielded benefits for our countrymen," Presidential Spokesperson
Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in
Malacanang on Monday.
The TOFIL Award is a project of Junior Chamber
International (JCI) Senate Philippines and the Insular Life Assurance Co.,
Limited. Conceived in 1988, the institution honors the country’s men and women
who have made significant contributions to the advancement in his/her field of
expertise, public welfare and national development.
"These events underscore a truth our
administration has always subscribed to: that genuine and lasting change is
indeed built on the shoulders of hardworking, determined, and sincere
Filipinos," Lacierda said.
" Let us continue to work together, and to
each do what we can to contribute to the realization of our shared aspirations
for the Philippines: a country where what was once impossible is now, indeed,
possible," he said. PND (js)
PARR eyes amendment to procurement law to curb
irregularities by contractors
To curb substandard work by contractors in
rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the
government is considering seeking amending the law on procurement for government
projects.
Presidential Adviser on Reconstruction and
Recovery Panfilo M. Lacson said Monday his office may ask Congress to amend
Republic Act 9184, which requires contractors to undertake repairs for
substandard work in 90 days.
"We will propose to Congress na i-amend ang
particular provision na yan (We will propose to Congress to amend that
particular provision)," Lacson said at a briefing in Malacañang.
Under Article 19, Sec. 62 of RA 9144, the
contractor shall undertake repair works at his own expense for any defect or
damage within 90 days.
But Lacson said this provision has to be
strengthened, to discourage contractors from deliberately using substandard
materials and hoping it will go unnoticed.
With the 90-day timetable, Lacson said his
office would be hampered from filing charges against contractors whose work
turned out to be below specifications.
"Dapat maamyendahan ang provision kasi kung
deliberate ang pag-underspecification, bakit pagbibigyan mo pa i-repair (The provision
of the law should be amended to discourage deliberate substandard work. Why
give them a chance to repair their work if it is deliberate?)" he said.
Lacson noted that while their inspection of the
bunkhouses for people affected by Yolanda showed no overpricing so far, there
had been instances of substitution of materials.
Meanwhile, Lacson said his office may ask
private sector partners or sectoral sponsors to be the ones to acquire land and
donate it along with the houses they build.
He said some areas such as Basey have land
priced at as low as P50 per square meter. PND (jl)
