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PNoy ‘approves in principle’ Yolanda rehabilitation plan


President Benigno Aquino III has "approved in principle" a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for areas that were devastated by Typhoon Yolanda, Malacañang announced Wednesday.
 
"The President approved in principle many of the items cited, but asked Secretary Balisacan and other pertinent members of the Cabinet for more specific details before providing formal approval," the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson said in a statement.
 
Earlier in the day, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan presented the rehabilitation plan crafted by a government task group that was formed by the President.
 
In its statement, the OPS said the plan has three phases: "to provide immediate assistance to affected areas; expand initiatives and programs in the medium term; and reach full recovery and rehabilitation in the long term."
 
It did not, however, elaborate any further.
 
But it said the Cabinet will meet with Aquino again on Friday to present "further refinements" to the plan, especially to the immediate actions to be taken. 
 
"The President's overarching instructions to the Cabinet was: "Dapat gawin, kayang gawin, ngayon na," it said.
 
On Tuesday, however, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Eduardo del Rosario said it will take the government up to five years to fully rehabilitate the typhoon-hit areas.
 
Typhoon Yolanda has killed at least 5,500 people and affected almost 10 million, according to the latest figures from the NDRRMC. 
 
On the other hand, damage was estimated at P24.5 billion, including P11.4 billion in agriculture and P13.2 billion in infrastructure. —KG, GMA News
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