4 projects lined up for reconstruction efforts
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/30/2009 7:08 PM
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MANILA - A public-private sector commission has identified and given priority to 4 projects which will speed up the rehabilitation of areas affected by recent storms.
In a statement, the Special National Public Reconstruction Commission (Public Commission) and its private sector partner, the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), said these 4 projects include the following:
- removal of water lilies that clog waterways, especially at Laguna de Bay
- putting up rain gauges for early warning
- treatment of flood victims with leptospirosis
- repair of schools and classroom fixtures damaged by "Ondoy" and "Pepeng" (international code names Ketsana and Parma, respectively).
Public Commission Chairman and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the PDRF will move the water lilies to the farm/compost site of the Philippine Business for Social Progress in Laguna province.
For this purpose, Teves said the PDRF will be working with the Laguna Lake Development Authority, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and local government units.
The PDRF will also be consulting with weather bureau PAGASA and the National Disaster Coordinating Council for the rain gauges, which are proposed to be installed at the cell sites of Smart Communications Inc.
"We want some quick and early wins," said PDRF Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, who also chairs Philippine Long Distance Telephone Corp., Smart's parent firm.
For the other programs, the PDRF will be working with the departments of health and education.
"We are really looking forward to a productive and effective partnership with the private sector for these relief, recovery, and reconstruction efforts," Teves said.
Meanwhile, the public-private sector commission said its preliminary report on the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is likely to be available early next month, just in time for the informal meeting between the group and multilateral donors tapped for reconstruction funds on November 9.
"The full PDNA report and the pledging session with the foreign donor community are expected to be held not later than the first week of December," the commission said.
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