DENR, DPWH to lead typhoon rehab efforts, OP to act as oversight -Palace

Malacañang on Wednesday said the Environment and Public Works departments will lead the government’s rehabilitation program for areas hit by the recent typhoons.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be the chairperson of the Build Back Better Task Force with the Department of Public Works and Highways as co-chair, said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

“The administration is considering a science-based approach in our rehabilitation and recovery efforts,” Roque said. “The leadership role was given to [the] DENR and DPWH in recognition of their respective mandates and core competence.”

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who was previously named chairperson, will have an oversight function. The task force also has to give regular reports to the Office of the President through Medialdea.

The task force also has to give a quarterly report to the Office of the President through Medialdea, and publish an annual report on its accomplishments, including projects and programs implemented and budget utilized.

The other members of the task force include the secretaries of national defense, human settlements, socioeconomic planning, transportation, interior and local government, energy, trade and industry, agriculture, budget, finance, education, health, social welfare and development, science and technology and labor and employment.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week moved for the creation of the Build Back Better Task Force to speed up the rehabilitation of typhoon-ravaged areas, especially in Luzon provinces.

Under Duterte’s Executive Order 120 signed on Wednesday, the task force shall serve as the overall body to ensure whole-of-government implementation and monitoring of post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

The inter-agency body must also strengthen the institutional knowledge and expertise of the local government units on disaster recovery and rehabilitation and build safer sites for housing as well as restore or expand economic activities in typhoon-hit areas.

The body must ensure availability and adequacy of key lifelines such as basic needs, medical services, electricity, water, telecommunications, and transportation that can be mobilized immediately after the typhoon.

Consultations with affected communities and non-government, youth and civic organizations in the crafting, implementation and evaluation of programs and projects will also be conducted.

Duterte directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard and other uniformed personnel to provide logistical and technical assistance in the rehabilitation and recovery efforts. 

He also ordered the Department of Budget and Management to prioritize the funding requirements for the components of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Program for areas affected by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses and other future typhoons, which have been endorsed by the task force. —AOL/NB, GMA News