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[av_heading heading=’Rehab of calamity-hit nat’l projects mulled’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
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January 19, 2018
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ILOILO City – Concerned regional offices of national government agencies in Western Visayas have been urged to report their projects affected by the tropical depression “Agaton” for proper intervention.
The report would be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority central office so that the secretaries of the concerned agencies would be “instructed to realign” their funds, said NEDA Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal.
Last week, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) called for an emergency meeting to determine whether or not there was a need to come up with a “full-blown rehab.”
Based on the presentation, the main problem was in Capiz and some parts of Iloilo, said Bacal.
“What we will do is gather all information as to how much is needed from the national government in terms of road rehab, assistance to families and livelihood,” she said.
During a previous emergency meeting, the RDRRMC passed a resolution urging the fast-tracking of the Panay River Integrated Development Project that is seen to solve the perennial flooding problem in Capiz.
Engr. Gerardo Corsiga of the National Irrigation Administration informed Bacal they would be using their funds to start the implementation of the project this year.
The P19-billion project is expected to have its groundbreaking by the fourth quarter of 2018.
The initial damage in Aklan due to “Agaton” was placed at P24.424 million
In Capiz, the initial damage to fisheries was estimated at P75.56 million while some 9,763 hectares of rice lands were also affected.
The flooding due to heavy rains induced by “Agaton” in Capiz affected 159 barangays from 12 municipalities and displaced some 1,482 families.
Bacal requested local government units to identify projects they “specifically wanted the national government to fund.”
Funding has levels: the national government funds the projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways and special program for farm-to-market roads, farm-to-mill roads and roads leading to tourist projects, while local government units for provincial roads.
“It is important that they identify and relay which of these projects need to be attended to by the national government,” said Bacal.
The regional director likewise underscored the need for agencies to “immediately provide assistance” for totally affected families such as food for work, skills training and startup projects “to bring them back to be productive citizens.”
While the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already made intervention, there may also be a need to call on the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment, said Bacal.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has also been urged to identify fisherfolk that should be provided with bancas and fishing paraphernalia. Reports on losses of bancas and fish implements were noted in Capiz and northern Iloilo.
The Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, has been urged to support farmers with farm implements although they have started to already distribute seeds and other inputs.
The Department of Trade and Industry, on the other hand, may work with Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to come up with a “concessional loan” for affected micro, small and medium enterprises so they could get back on their feet.
The Department of Education was urged to “relocate” school buildings that are situated in “vulnerable places.” This is also true for health centers. (PNA/PN)
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