Palace drafting EO on task force that will handle rehab efforts in typhoon-hit areas

Malacañang is crafting an executive order that will spell out the responsibilities of a task force formed by President Rodrigo Duterte to speed up the rehabilitation of areas hit by a series of typhoons in the past two months.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said the Build Back Better Task Force will be under Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Its members include the Departments of Agriculture, Public Works and Highways, Budget and Management, and Social Welfare and Development, the National Irrigation Administration, National Electrification Administration, and the National Housing Authority, among others.

The Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard will provide assistance to the task force. The Palace also urged the concerned local government units to render assistance.

“This body will have a clear chain of command, and direct mandate to address and monitor the multifarious issues and concerns involved in the rehabilitation and recovery phase of typhoon- affected areas,” Roque said at a news conference on Monday.

Roque asked the public to give the task force a chance, adding the body would not overlap with the functions of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“Nandiyan din po ang NDRRMC which is an attached agency [of] the Department of National Defense, at siyempre po sila iyong gagawa ng staff work at saka sila iyong magko-coordinate pa rin ng rescue and relief operations po kasama na iyong pagbibigay ng mga warnings,” he said.

“Wala naman pong superfluity, it will facilitate the easier and the faster provision of relief and assistance kapag mayroon pong kalamidad.”

‘Government prepared’

The Palace official maintained that the government was prepared ahead of the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses last week.

“Sa tingin ko po, wala naman pong pagkukulang, but we will always strive to be better,” he said.

Roque also assured the public that the government has funds for disaster response.

“Nandiyan pa rin po ang pondo ng NDRRMC under the Department of National Defense, so, wala po tayong ini-slash po diyan,” he said.

“Bukod po doon sa mga quick reaction fund at bukod doon sa regular programs ng iba’t ibang ahensiya eh mayroon po talaga tayong halaga na nakalaan for disaster response na being administered by the NDRRMC.”

Duterte has attributed the severe weather disturbances to climate change after successive typhoons brought massive destruction and killed several people, especially in Luzon provinces.

At the virtual summit of Southeast Asian leaders and regional powers last week, Duterte called for increased climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity building in the region, so that developing countries like the Philippines can build sustainable and resilient communities.

“Climate change is not just a matter of survival. It is equally a matter of justice,” the President said at the 15th East Asia Summit on Saturday. — RSJ, GMA News