MANILA: The government is ready to spend at least 8bn to 10bn pesos ($244m) more for relief and rehabilitation efforts in storm-ravaged areas in Mindanao, as search and rescue operations are set to continue even during Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the cost for the relief and rehabilitation efforts could go over 10bn pesos, given the extent of damage left by typhoon “Pablo.”
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had estimated the damage to agriculture and infrastructure at 34.3bn pesos.
Abad said the calamity is an opportunity for the government to spend more through relief and rehabilitation operations. He said the administration has so far spent at least 4bn pesos, and that reconstruction would take more time because the priority at this time is rescue and relief.
The 8bn to 10bn pesos would be taken from the government’s calamity and quick response funds. “The 8bn to 10bn pesos is what is available and is originally the projected requirement, but you know the numbers can change as we go along,” he said.
The budget chief said there has been various fund requests from affected regions, particularly for the replanting of various crops including corn, which can mature in 45 to 90 days.
NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said the government has not set a deadline for the search and rescue operations, so security forces would continue efforts to find more survivors.
Ramos said they are still optimistic to find more survivors, although it has been three weeks since Pablo battered the southern part of Mindanao. He said rescue teams – which include Navy, Coast Guard and police personnel and employees of fishing firms – do not mind working even during the holidays.
“Many of them are soldiers and they are used to it. Everyone is ready to perform their duty,” he said.
When asked when the rescue teams would halt the operations, Ramos said they would take their cue from Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Jorge Segovia and other officials in the field.
“The number of fatalities may still increase but we do not assume immediately that the missing persons have died,” he said.
As of yesterday, the death toll from Pablo stood at 1,067 while 834 remained missing.
Armed Forces chief General Jessie Dellosa flew to Davao City yesterday to visit the troops undertaking relief and humanitarian operations in the area.
Dellosa went to the headquarters of the 67th Battalion to assess the rescue and relief operations. He was also scheduled to visit the 66th Battalion based in Banganga, Compostela Valley.
The military has so far raised 19m pesos in contributions, donations, and savings generated from the cancellation of Christmas parties and the toned down AFP anniversary celebration.
“More than the cash donations, a simple gesture of physical support will encourage and inspire the typhoon victims to slowly stand up and look forward to a brighter tomorrow,” Dellosa said in a statement.
Meanwhile, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) appealed yesterday for more assistance, particularly housing materials and food, for the typhoon victims.
The Philippine Star
