MANILA, April 25 (PNA) — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will carry out the rehabilitation works in the areas devastated by typhoon “Yolanda,” a job previously handled by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPPAR), Malacanang said on Saturday.
“Ipagpapatuloy ng NEDA sa pamumuno ni Secretary Arsenio Balisacan ang pangangasiwa doon sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa hinggil sa rehabilitasyon bunsod ng mga pinsala na dulot ng typhoon Haiyan o Yolanda,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a radio interview.
NEDA will maintain the existing structure which is composed of five clusters. The infrastructure cluster, for instance, is handled by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The resettlement cluster is under the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the social services cluster is overseen by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will handle the livelihood cluster, while the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and NEDA will oversee the support cluster.
“Wala pong interruption doon sa progreso ng ating mga rehabilitation programs. Ipagpapatuloy po ito sa pangangasiwa na ngayon ng NEDA,” Coloma told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
In October last year, President Benigno S. Aquino III approved the PhP167.9-billion Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) to rebuild areas in Eastern Visayas devastated by typhoon “Yolanda” in November 2013.
The comprehensive plan envisions to bring forth the recovery of 171 affected cities and municipalities in 14 provinces and six regions, known as the “Yolanda corridor,” based on the “build-back-better” principle.
It focuses on long-term and sustainable efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen the capacities of communities in coping with future hazard events.
The rebuilding efforts require a total amount of PhP167.9 billion aimed at restoring infrastructure, settlements and basic community facilities, livelihood, and the resilience of vulnerable communities, the government said. (PNA)