NEDA starting groundwork for Taal rehab plan

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Monday said it is now in the process of laying down the groundwork for the rehabilitation plan of areas affected by Taal Volcano's unrest.

At a press conference in Pasig City, NEDA Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro said the government is now consolidating information on how rehabilitation efforts can begin.

"We are starting to lay down the major components of the rehabilitation plan, setting up the framework, but of course without the estimate of the damages, we wouldn't know what kinds of projects to push for," she told reporters.

Alert level 4 has already been raised since the initial eruption of the Taal Volcano last weekend, which means a hazardous eruption is "imminent."

The latest available government data indicate that damage to agriculture and livestock has already reached P3 billion.

According to Navarro, the crafting of the rehabilitation plan can already commence even as a hazardous eruption is imminent as indicated by the Alert Level 4 status.

"We will adjust our assessment of economic impacts in case there will be a violent eruption, more violent that we experienced," she said.

"At the same time, we can also continue with preparing the information that will be (used) in the rehabilitation plan," explained Navarro.

Data from NEDA indicate that at current conditions, the eruption of the Taal Volcano will have minimal impact on economic growth, targeted at 6.5% to 7.5% this year.

"Right now, what we are doing is to look at possible measures to fast-track the rehabilitation like looking at the availability of the resource -- the NDRRM fund, what other measures we can implement," said Navarro. — RSJ, GMA News