Government setting up Yolanda/Haiyan donor fund,
donation-tracking website to promote transparency
To ensure transparency and accountability in the
use of donations to help victims of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the
government through Presidential Assistant on Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
Panfilo M. Lacson is setting up multi-donor funds and a map-based website to
track the donations.
Lacson, speaking at a forum in Makati City, said
the multi donor fund will be managed entirely by very credible and reputable
top executives from big business groups.
“We will help facilitate the launching of the
fund very soon... We are in the process of setting up a map-based website to
make sure the funds the people donated will be transparent enough for anyone there
to see,” he said.
He said the board of trustees of the fund will
include officials of major companies in the media, communications and finance
sectors.
Not one of those approached by his office
declined the invitation to be part of the board of trustees, he said.
Lacson said they initially opened a dollar
savings account (105-310-463-926) for overseas Filipino workers, and a peso
savings account (005-310-633-988) with Banco de Oro’s Ayala branch.
More accounts with other banks will be set up
soon, he said.
Yolanda had barreled through Visayas and
Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving behind at least 6,200 dead.
So far, Lacson said 171 towns and cities damaged
by Yolanda have been grouped into 24 clusters and put up for adoption.
He said the government also made an appeal to
big business conglomerates to partner with it, and the private sector has
responded.
“Sponsors likewise committed to support needs such
as education, health, housing and livelihood sectors,” he said. PND (jl)
Government sets minimum requirements, adopts
long-term measures in Yolanda rehab work
With just 20,000 hours – or two-and-a-half years
– left to get its work done, the government is adopting long-term measures to
ensure the rehabilitation work in areas hit by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
will continue even after the Aquino administration’s term ends in 2016.
Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and
Reconstruction Panfilo M. Lacson said his office has adopted an understudy that
will continue its work even after the Aquino administration ends on June 30,
2016.
“We have no other option but at least to have
substantial compliance, 85 to 90 percent by June 30, 2016. But we are also
engaging an understudy para maski wala na kami pwede patuloy pa (we are
adopting an understudy that will continue our work after our terms end),” he
said at an interview in Makati City.
He said this will complement the private sector
here, which he said can continue working in the affected areas after so many
administrations.
Lacson said that if many of these private sector
firms are committed to do the rehabilitation work, “they will stay there
because they have a sense of commitment” to get the job done.
In the meantime, he said his office hopes to see
some structures built in the next six months to one year.
Also, he said his office will continue to
coordinate with the private sector and with foreign sponsors on the
rehabilitation work.
Up to now, he said many people affected by
Yolanda still lack the basics, citing the case of some people in parts of Samar
who are forced to live in caves.
Meanwhile, Lacson reassured residents and local
government officials in the affected areas his office will remain color-blind
as far as political affiliation is concerned.
“One thing I learned in this job is being
color-blind. We’re dealing with different political personalities, and I always
emphasize to them when I talk to them, na huwag kayong mag-alala kasi
color-blind kami rito (don’t worry because we work with you regardless of your
political color),” he said.
“Ang problema kasi, pag pulitika ang pumasok sa
usapan, hindi mayor ang pinaparusahan mo kundi mga tao, mga biktima. At kung
tutulungan mo ang area, hindi mo tinutulungan ang mayor, governor or
congressman, ang tinutulungan mo ang mga taong nagsa-suffer. So yan ang outlook
namin ang attitude namin. And it will stay that way (If you start looking at
people through their political affiliation and withhold aid, you are punishing
not the official but their constituents. And if you help a local government,
you are not helping the local official but the people they are supposed to
serve. That is our outlook and it will stay that way),” he added.
Lacson also reiterated his office will observe
minimum requirements in the implementation of rebuilding structures such as
schools and multi-purpose halls.
He said schools and multi-purpose halls should
be resilient and can serve as emergency evacuation centers, while hospitals
should be able to serve as command and communications centers. PND (jl)
Lacson issues warning to those ‘in the way’ of
Yolanda rehab work
While he will adhere to a policy of inclusion in
rehabilitation work in areas affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan),
Presidential Assistant on Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Panfilo M. Lacson
on Thursday warned those “in the way” of his work that he will not hesitate to
go after them.
In an interview with reporters after speaking at
a forum in Makati City, Lacson said he has drawn up a list of those who have
tried to hamper reconstruction efforts.
“I have a list. But (as I said), I’ll just deal
with them sooner or later. The list is just a short list compared to the long
list of those who are in, yung mga gustong tumulong (those who want to help),”
he said.
On the other hand, he said he is waiting for the
Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and
Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to probe those
allegedly engaged in graft in the reconstruction.
He said his office will make sure it will lodge
charges against those responsible, once evidence warrants.
“Once the evidence gathered will warrant the
filing of criminal charges against those responsible, we will not hesitate, no
matter how close they are to the administration or no matter what affiliations
they have, political or otherwise,” he said.
During his keynote address at the forum earlier,
Lacson said he will go after those who will hamper his work, regardless of
their political affiliation.
“While I adhere to a policy of inclusion, I will
not hesitate to go after people regardless of political affiliation who will
put personal interest and belief upon the mission and goal set by the
President,” he said.
“Roughly translated... it’s either you’re in, or
in the way,” he added.
In the meantime, Lacson said his office will
continue coordinating with local government officials regardless of their
political affiliation.
“We’ll continue coordinating with them after all
that’s my mandate, coordinating naman kami. But I will think or devise some way
of dealing with them more vigorously,” he said. PND (jl)
Social Weather Stations' survey in ‘Yolanda’
affected areas show higher satisfaction for President Aquino
The Social Weather Stations’ survey showing that
President Benigno S. Aquino III received higher satisfaction ratings in typhoon
‘Yolanda’ affected communities is a manifestation of support to government’s
continuing efforts to help them rebuild their lives and build
disaster-resilient communities, a Palace official said.
"According to the latest SWS survey, the
President received higher satisfaction ratings among those affected by typhoon
‘Yolanda’, compared to those who were outside the calamity areas."
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma
Jr. said in a statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on
Thursday.
Among Yolanda victims, 73% were satisfied and
19% were dissatisfied with President Aquino's performance, the SWS said.
The Chief Executive scored a net satisfaction
rating of +54 (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied), classified by SWS as very
good.
Among non-victims, 69% were satisfied and 21%
were dissatisfied, for a net satisfaction rating of +48, classified as good.
The December 2013 SWS Survey was conducted from
December 11-16, 2013 using face-to-face interviews of 1,550 adults.
"It is gratifying that those who suffered
greatly appreciate what their President and their government have done to ease
their pain and alleviate their plight despite the shortcomings and challenges
still being hurdled," Coloma said. PND (js)
Government to ensure welfare of Filipinos amid
Malaysia’s crackdown on illegal workers
Malacanang made an assurance on Thursday that it
will instruct the Department of Foreign Affairs to investigate the alleged
abuses being committed by Malaysian authorities against Filipinos working in
Malaysia.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential
Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said it
is the duty of the government to protect its citizens especially if they are
facing persecution aboard.
The Philippines and Malaysia have a long history
of friendship and cooperation, Coloma said adding he believes Malaysian
authorities will pay special attention to whatever concern the Philippine
government will raise.
“Mahaba ang kasaysayan ng pagkakaibigan at
kooperasyon sa pagitan ng Malaysia at ng Pilipinas. Katulad ng nabanggit, sila
ang tumatayo ngayong facilitator ng ating peace talks hinggil sa Bangsamoro,”
Coloma said.
“Siguro ay makatwirang sabihin na sila ay
nakikinig sa ating mga inilalahad sa kanila at wala naman pong kasaysayan na
sila ay hindi nagbigay atensyon sa mga diplomatic concerns na ating inilahad sa
kanilang pamahalaan,” he added.
For the Malaysian government to act, the
Department of Foreign Affairs must lay out the concrete details of the alleged
harassment and abuses reportedly committed against Filipino workers, the Palace
official said.
Coloma said justice must be served to those who
suffered unfairly in the ongoing crackdown in Malaysia.
“Ang atin pong Department of Foreign Affairs ay
tiyak na gagawin ang lahat ng nararapat para mabigyan ng katarungan ‘yung
diumano’y pananakit o paggawa ng karahasan laban sa ating mga mamamayan dahil
hindi naman ito talaga dapat na maganap,” he said.
“Ganoon din sa ating bansa, tinatrato natin nang
may paggalang ang mga mamamayan ng ibang bansa, dapat lang na ganoon din ang
kanilang pagtrato sa ating mga mamamayan. Tinitiyak po natin na gagawin ang
lahat ng nararapat para magawaran ng katarungan ang inilahad ng ating kasama
rito.”
There were reports of Filipinos being rounded
up, thrown to overcrowded jails and forced to admit they were illegal workers.
Some of the female migrant workers were sexually abused, according to reports.
In March last year, the Malaysian government
ordered an all-out offensive to flush out the Sulu fighters who occupied an
area in Lahad Datu in Sabah.
A group of armed men intruded Sabah in a bid to
reclaim the area they said belongs to the Sulu Sultanate. PND (as)
Government campaign to protect journalists
continuing, says official
The administration continues to coordinate
efforts among government agencies to address media killings in the country, a
Palace official said on Thursday.
“We continue to work with the concerned
government agencies. Ang direktiba po sa kanila ay pag-ibayuhin ang
pagsisiyasat at paghahanap sa mga gumawa ng mga krimeng ito, dahil hindi naman
po natin mapapahintulutan ang paggawa ng karahasan laban sa mga journalists, at
laban sa mga nagtatrabaho bilang mga peryodista and in the exercise of freedom
of expression and freedom of the press,” Presidential Communications Operations
Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr said in a press briefing in
Malacanang on Thursday.
Among the steps being taken are the changes in
the rules of court to speed up ligation, especially with regards to the biggest
case involving violence against journalists—the Maguindanao massacre.
Three RTC judges were so far assigned to handle
the case, he said.
And at a time there were numerous media killings
happening, Coloma said the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement
agencies made a commitment to heighten the campaign to arrest the perpetrators.
“Kaya pag-iibayuhin ng ating pamahalaan ang
pagsisikap na mabigyan ng katarungan ang karahasan laban sa mga journalists,”
he said.
Also part of the government’s commitment to
protect journalists is to control the proliferation of loose firearms in the
country, Coloma said
The President signed a new gun law allowing
professionals to carry guns for protection as well as raising the prison term
to at least 30 years for anyone caught possessing unlicensed firearm. PND (as)
Palace appeals for patience as government
constructs major infrastructure in Metro Manila
Malacanang appealed to motorists in Metro Manila
to be more patient in dealing with the expected worsening traffic condition as
the government starts to carry out simultaneous construction of major
infrastructure projects.
“Nananawagan na lang tayo na magkaroon ng
pag-unawa ang ating mga mamamayan dahil hindi naman maaaring habang panahon
nalang ipagpapaliban iyong pagsasagawa nito. Kinakailangan ang konting
sakripisyo,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio
“Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing in Malacanang Thursday.
“Let us share in the burden of sacrifice. [The]
government will do what it can to mitigate the possible ill effects like
traffic congestion,” he added noting the government can’t delay the repair of
major thoroughfares like EDSA.
And as the government do these major
infrastructure projects including the repair of EDSA, it plans to implement
mitigation measures to lessen the burden to motorists, the Palace official
said.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
(MMDA) said at least 13 infrastructure projects will be constructed
side-by-side in several parts of Metro Manila starting this year up to 2016 or
before the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III ends.
Among these projects include the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA) Elevated Expressway, Epifanio De los Santos Ave.
(EDSA)-Taft the flyover, Skyway 3, C-5 to McKinley Ramps as well as the repair
of Magallanes interchange.
Metro Manila mayors also gave their go-signal to
several infrastructure projects to be undertaken by the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation and Communication
(DOTC).
These include the Light Railway Transit (LRT) 2
East Extension Project, LRT-1 North Extension Project Common Station,
Integrated Transport System Terminals (North and South), C-5 to McKinley Ramps,
Skyway 3, and Bonifacio Global City to Ortigas Center Link Road Project,
EDSA-North Mindanao interchange. PND (as)
