President Benigno Aquino III said having appointed former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson as rehabilitation czar is an (–foul word(s) removed–)urance to speed up reconstruction efforts particularly areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan).
In a media conference during Bulong-Pulungan 2013 Forum, the president explained the reason for culling Lacson as rehab czar over a Cabinet member, who would perform the (–foul word(s) removed–)igned task and functions for rehabilitation as regularly done by the president.
“Having Ping Lacson at the center where he is a no-nonsense guy focused solely on the Yolanda rehabilitation will undoubtedly achieve the targets sooner. That is the primary reason why we looked at the unique capabilities of Senator Lacson to be able to deliver,” Aquino said.
The former lawmaker said that rehabilitation of some affected areas will be “daunting” but “doable” and he’s targeting 85 or 90 percent of reconstruction will be completed in due time but according to some experts reconstruction and rehabilitation will be accomplished before Aquino’s term ends in June 2016.
“Talagang napakalaki ng pinsala at mukhang maraming lugar na talagang kailangang mag-start from zero, from scratch,” Lacson said in a press conference on Monday.
November 8, 2013, when Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) wiped out Central Philippines including Eastern Visayas particularly Leyte province with 5,680 reported dead and 1, 779 remain missing.
“Napakaraming pong apektado itong trahedyang ‘to, pero ngayon pa lang ho, masasabi ko na sa inyo, tila may liwanag na kung paano natin ibabangon muli,” President Aquino said in his speech.
“Gusto ko rin pong pasalamatan lahat ng mga komunidad sa buong mundo ng mga Pilipino na talaga namang agarang dumamay,” Aquino said. “[T]alaga naman pong damang-dama natin ang pagdamay ng napakaraming bansa sa buong mundo sampu ng ating mga komunidad sa labas ng bansa.”
