Government has enough resources to rebuild Leyte, says Palace

Usec Abigail Valte

MANILA, Nov. 10 -- Malacanang made an assurance on Saturday that the government has enough resources to rehabilitate damaged infrastructures in Leyte and other areas following the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda this week.

Typhoon Yolanda, considered by experts as super typhoon, has damaged many infrastructures in Leyte including its airport.

In a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government has enough resources to help rebuild the province.

“Handa naman tayo. Clearing operations ngayon sa Tacloban; sa Tacloban airport mismo ay ongoing,” Valte said.

“At handa naman din tayong magpaluwal ng pondo kung ano iyong kakailanganin for rehabilitation.”

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas have reported to President Aquino the heavy property damage in Leyte not only its airport but also other infrastructure.

The government is also ready to respond to typhoon victims in Iloilo, she said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide the assistance such as food and temporary shelters to affected families.

“Meron tayong programa ‘yung tinatawag nating ‘Core Shelter Assistance’ para naman doon sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo na talagang either partially damaged iyong mga bahay or totally damaged,” she said. (www.reposted/ PND/as)

Pres. Aquino orders gov't agencies to prioritize needs of typhoon victims, restoration of communication lines

MANILA, Nov 10 (PNA) -- Government agencies are working overtime and have their hands full in pouring aid to areas most affected by supertyphoon Yolanda, as Pres. Benigno Aquino III has ordered these functionaries to prioritize the basic needs of the victims, including restoration of communication lines.

"Maraming areas na walang power... merong towers na affected. Ang priority natin ay restoration ng power at communications," Pres. Benigno Aquino IIII said in a press briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Aquino also said he will fly to Tacloban City, Leyte Sunday to check the welfare of residents there and to monitor the government's disaster operations.

Aside from clearing roads from various debris, the Department of Public Works and Highways will also construct temporary shelters in the form of bunkhouses for residents whose houses made of light materials were totally destroyed during the supertyphoon's onslaught.

Aside from the quick response funds by various agencies, Aquino said the government coffers has standby funds that it can use for the relief operations.

"Yung calamity and contingency funds has roughly about a billion pesos. Yung binabanatan na President's Social Fund pwede rin kunin 'yun and it has roughly about P6 billion," he said as he assured that there is enough savings to spend for the rehabilitation of areas that were struck by both man-made and natural calamities.

"Gusto natin i-assure lahat na may kapasidad at kakayahan ang gobyerno tugunan ang pangangailangan ngayon at pagkatapos nito," he said.  (reposted from www.pna.gov.ph/Janice M. Cave/PNA/CTB/JMC)

AFP appeals to civilians: Cooperate in peace and order efforts

MANILA, Nov. 10 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  is appealing to all civilians affected by typhoon Yolanda to cooperate with government authorities particularly the Philippine National Police and Department of Interior and Local Government in their efforts to restore order amidst ongoing rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations.

On its part, the AFP in a statement said has deployed 100 more soldiers to help police and existing military forces in their efforts to restore peace and order in the typhoon-struck Tacloban City following the devastation caused by the recent super typhoon.

As we firmly establish command and control in affected areas, we appeal to the public to be patient. We understand your emotion and frustration due to the lack of information coming out, the AFP said in a statement.

"The AFP assures our people that we are working round the clock together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be able to reach every citizen that needs our help. All we ask is patience from our fellow citizens," the statement further said.

Meanwhile, technicians from Smart Communications, three personnel from the United Nations, twenty-two foreign medical volunteers of the Mammoth Medical Mission, and an air traffic controller from the Air Traffic Organization have been sent to Tacloban City today, via special flight aboard a Philippine Air Force Fokker aircraft.

Yesterday, the AFP deployed communications systems in three cities in Visayas to address shortages in communication facilities following the devastation caused by Yolanda.

A communication cell was also established in Tacloban City Police Station and the Base Ops, Villamore Air Base to augment communication requirements for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response operations. Two more in Roxas City, Capiz, and Mactan City in Cebu were sent to monitor rescue and relief efforts.(afp.mil.ph)

Pres. Aquino orders gov't agencies to prioritize needs of typhoon victims, restoration of communication lines - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781384032463#sthash.buUgGHvu.dpu