Govt shifts to rehabilitation, rebuilding for typhoon ‘Pablo’ victims

Nearly six months after Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) devastated parts of Mindanao, the government is shifting into rebuilding and rehabilitation for victims of the calamity.

President Benigno Aquino III met Friday with Task Force Pablo and instructed government agencies concerned to make sure their efforts will be sustainable.

“Mahigpit na bilin ng pangulo, kailangan masigurado ang rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts natin ay sustainable. Apart from lending assistance when it comes to housing and shelters that are needed, pinapatiyak ng pangulo kailangan sustainable,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview on government-run dzRB radio.

She said the immediate challenges involve housing, food and livelihood.

“Kaagapay ang livelihood training at pagtulong sa paghanap sa kabuhayan sa lugar na yan,” she added.

Typhoon Pablo devastated parts of Mindanao when it hit last December.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said as of Dec. 25 last year, Pablo left at least 1,067 dead, 2,666 injured and 834 missing.

It affected 711,682 families or 6,243,998 people in 3,064 villages in 318 towns and 40 cities in 34 provinces.

Damage to property was estimated at P36.949 billion, including P7.565 billion in infrastructure and P26.526 billion in agriculture.

Valte said that to date, the national government continues to extend help to the local government units of the affected areas.

“Ang challenges natin ngayon nag-shift na tayo sa relief, and ngayon sa rebuilding and rehabilitation,” she said. - VVP, GMA News