PNoy: PHL can weather crop, infra damage from typhoons

MALOLOS, Bulacan – Government has enough funds to bounce back from the crop and infrastructure damage Typhoons Pedring and Quiel dealt the Philippines, the President said during his much-awaited visit to the flood-stricken provinces Wednesday. Aquino said the government has the resources to recover from the calamity much of central and northern Luzon is suffering from, especially the flood-striken provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Pangasinan. “We have something like about P8-billion in calamity funds... to utilize," Aquino said at a press briefing here after a regional development council meeting. The money was carried over from 2010. However, the damage already totaled P9.5 billion based on the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) barely a week after the typhoons lashed through Luzon, The amount is roughly 20 percent short of the P12 billion the country sustained from the onslaught tropical cyclones Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009. The President said the initial assessment he received showed that some P300 million is needed to restore the damaged infrastructure and help the affected people. “Mukhang dito sa assessment na — at least for Central Luzon — ‘yung pinakita kanina is about P325… over P300-million just to be sure. So with P300-million sa restoration,kayang-kaya nating gawin," he said. Government officials in Cordillera are still compiling reports on the damage the province incurred, according to the President. “Yung sa Cordillera pinaiipon ko pa rin. They are still vetting off all the destruction that has been done on the infrastructure. So wala pa akong complete total," he said. “So far, magre-replenish kami doon sa quick reaction funds ng line agencies like the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) at saka ‘yung DOH (Department of Health). But as of this time we still have funds," Aquino added. His visit to calamity-stricken areas was preceded by criticisms from the opposition and the people who, since last week, have been living on the roof of their houses and in evacuation centers.
During the regional council meeting, an agriculture official said 760, 207 metric tons of palay were destroyed during the onslaught of “pedring" and “Quiel." This was 11.68 percent of the 6.5 million metric tons expected harvest. The Department of Agriculture is now reviewing proposals for the early importation of rice to avoid a possible shortage of the staple. How government responds to disasters Aquino’s visit to the flood-stricken provinces north of Manila drew criticisms from the House opposition bloc Wednesday supposedly because his visit was “late." Deputy Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said Aquino’s decision to go to flooded areas days after the typhoons exemplified how government responds to disasters. “We are ill-prepared when it comes to immediate response to the victims of this calamity… Huli man daw at magaling, huli pa rin," Suarez said at a press briefing Wednesday. Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay meanwhile said government's response to the needs of affected populations showed the Aquino administration’s “lack of foresight." “Hindi naman ho unannounced dumating ang bagyo. We all knew that it was coming. Bakit hindi po nag-prepare ang Department of Social Welfare and Development ng relief packs nila prior to the typhoon?" she said. “I hope this thing will be a lesson to them para next year during the typhoon season, mas prepared na po sila," she added. Magsaysay criticized Aquino for having been more visible in typhoon-affected areas when he was campaigning than now when he is the country’s President. “[Aquino] doesn’t necessarily have to be in the typhoon-hit areas at the height of the typhoon. At least man lang sana, he came out with a statement to allay the fears ng mga tao," she said. Chapel used as shelter Evacuees in Calumpit said they found Aquino’s visit “too short," giving them the impression that the President had no time to hear their sentiments. Aquino downplayed the criticisms. "Nung dumalaw ako sa Marikina at Malabon kini-criticize nila kung bakit ako dumadalaw dun, nag-papapogi. E nung hindi naman ako nakikita, nasaan ako," he lamented. "Mahirap po talaga maging manananggal na kalahati na ang katawan ko. Dadalaw… hindi para matuwa ‘yung nasa industriya na nagki-criticize sa akin," he added. The President said what is important is the result of what he has been doing even without publicity. "Siguro pag nakikita na nag-uutos ang Pangulo sa iba't ibang ahensiya sa kasagsagan ng sakuna ang ibig sabihin nun hindi nakahanda ang gobyerno," he said. The President went to the chapel of United Pulp and Paper Corporation in Calumpit, Bulacan which was used as shelter for families from flood-stricken areas, The evacuees put together the pews which served as makeshift beds. He did not stay there long. After he shook hands with some of the 170 evacuees the President proceeded to Malolos for the regional development council meeting. Most of Calumpit is still under waist-deep floods. The town's market was also flooded forcing the vendors to sell their goods along the road. To go from one place to another, Calumpit residents must take a banca for P20 each for every 100 meter ride. — PE/VS, GMA News