PNoy to visit typhoon-affected areas

President Benigno Aquino III plans to visit provinces affected by Typhoons Pedring and Quiel, but will wait first for his Cabinet to finish the rehabilitation plan before doing so. At a press briefing Monday, Aquino said his Cabinet is set to meet within the day to assess the situation and discuss what they will do to address concerns such as road clearing and repairs, resumption of power supply, fuel supply distribution and damage to agriculture. "Ngayong umaga at hapon, magmi-meeting ang Gabinete dahil pinag-uusapan na po ‘yung rehabilitation plan — kailan ba natin maibabalik ‘yung mga kalsadang naputol, ‘yung mga landslides kailan maki-clear, ‘yung kuryente kailan babalik nang hundred percent, ‘yung fuel doon sa mga lugar na ito, agriculture — ano ang maibibigay natin doon sa mga magsasakang paani na sana na nasalanta — ano ang maitutulong, plus doon sa re-planting idi-discuss nila ngayon; part of it also is ‘yung situation ng ating rice kung paano naapektuhan, so may assessment," Aquino said. He expressed hope that they will be able to complete the plan within the day. "So lahat po ‘yan, I’m hoping will be finished today and para makaikot na rin po tayo doon sa mga probinsyang nasalanta ng mga bagyo at ‘yung parating pa na sana naman po hindi na dumagdag," Aquino said. He said he had been in touch with the local government officials for the past days. Aquino was able to talk with Isabela Governor Faustino Dy who gave him updates on the water release of dams and Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat. "I’m trying to get in touch with all of the areas, talk to their leaders, and ‘yun nga pina-prioritize natin ‘yung umaabot sa ating pinakamalala ang problema," he said. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) pegged the damage to agriculture and infrastructure from Typhoon Pedring (international name: Nesat) to almost P9 billion. In its 6 a.m. Monday update, the NDRRMC said the damage to property had reached P8,803,560,093.43, including: