MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo chose Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) chair Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) to head the National Public-Private Reconstruction Commission due to his experience in forging business deals abroad, Palace officials said.

Presidential economic affairs spokesperson Gary Olivar said on Wednesday Pangilinan's "extensive experience of working abroad will stand in good stead in the President's desire to seek fresh aid from foreigners for the rehabilitation of calamity-stricken areas."

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Pangilinan is respected in the business field, and he has proven himself in executive leadership and corporate social responsiblity 

Through the joint public and private commission, President Arroyo wants to show that rehabilitation is not just a responsiblity of government but of the private sector as well,  he added.

Remonde said the reconstruction body is non-partisan, and it should be transparent in the determination of priorities and in the implementation of projects.

Teves, Vidal are co-chairs

On Tuesday, Arroyo signed an executive order, forming the joint commission that will oversee infrastructure rehabilitation in areas devastated by landslides and floods caused by tropical storms Pepeng (Parma) and Ondoy (Ketsana).

Mrs. Arroyo announced the approval of the executive order during a Cabinet meeting at the West Central Elementary School in Dagupan City, Pangasinan province, which was badly hit by floods during Pepeng's onslaught.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Vidal are the co-chairs of the commission.

Members of the special commission will come from various government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), business groups and other non-government organizations.

The executive order mandates the new commission as a "clearing house" for all international assistance coming in for the victims of Ondoy and Pepeng.

The two storms' combined cost of damage to infrastructure has been pegged at P4.78 billion and P12.86 billion to agriculture. At least 56 roads and 9 bridges were destroyed during Pepeng's onslaught. -- report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News