Albay Guv proposes coordinating group for early rehab, recovery of typhoon Pablo-afflicted areas

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 12 (PIA) – Albay Governor Joey Salceda has proposed the creation of a National Coordinating Group for relief, early recovery and rehabilitation for areas heavily afflicted by typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.

Salceda said that there is an exigent need for such coordinating body to carry out more effective resource mobilization, fair allocation and efficient yet expeditious utilization.

The coordinating group, according to Salceda, will also help to coordinate the response of the international community to the United Nation’s flash appeal and as a mechanism for private sector engagement.

The governor observed that the NDRRMC's call for private assistance for helicopters is indicative of the special complexion of needs spawned by Typhoon Pablo.

“Assistance needs to be managed more centrally- decentralized initiatives are well-meaning but are limited by their logistical capacity thus ending up only in a few places like New Bataan, ComVal. Flow of relief to even places like Cateel, Baganga and Boston, DavOr are still hampered by physical constraints,” he said.

A coordinating group for the relief, recovery and rehabilitation of Pablo-afflicted areas needs to be established in the wake of already more than 1 million families affected over several regions and areas.

Salceda explained that the coordinating group will be established essentially to manage the fair allocation, effective distribution and monitor the flow of resources over a vast expanse and varying degree of intensity.

“This will also help mobilize resources including non-traditional means (trade assistance) coupled with the need to focus on the UN flash appeal, and possibly a special pledging session in the forthcoming Philippine Development Forum,” he also explained.

He said that it will also serve as a mechanism to optimize private sector engagement.

With such coordinating group, the government will be able to sustain the national effort towards the restoration to normalcy and the full reconstruction of the damaged population.

Meanwhile, Team Albay and OCD 5 disaster risk reduction and response authorities and personnel are now on their third day on the ground for the humanitarian mission in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental providing assistance to local government units to cater to the needs of locales from areas hardest hit by the typhoon.

The joint teams have since been providing medical, water and sanitary, psycho-social and relief mission dubbed "Tabang MindaNow".

On its nth deployment, Team Albay-OCD 5 now serves Davao Oriental, particularly the difficult areas of Cateel, Boston and Baganga focusing on post-disaster health interventions and services through the Albay Health Emergency and Management (AHEM) and providing water supply through deployment of filtration machine with a maximum capacity of 32,000 liters per hour and ensuring sanitation among communities.

Salceda also related that Team Albay-OCD 5 now sees that delicate sectors -- small children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, elderly and persons with disabilities are left to the care of similarly situated families as some communities have been totally devastated.

“With the national government taking up the role of a surrogate nourishing mother in these times of difficulty, we also feel the President is becoming truly the father of his people,” Salceda stated. (MAL/FMGM -PIA5/Albay)