Commentary: On Typhoon Relief Efforts
by Bapa Bedu
Koronadal, South Cotabato (4 October) -- Typhoons have been hitting the country and harder and relief efforts have to be sustained.
Malacaņang said today that government relief efforts in regions hardest hit by Typhoon "Milenyo" such as Calamba-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (CALABARZON) and the Bicol Region will continue until the victims of the calamity are back on their feet.
Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the Chief Executive "wants the daily business of our people back to normalcy soonest," adding that beleaguered families and communities can rest assured that the "national government will stand beside them until they get back on their feet."
The President visited Sorsogon Saturday to assess the destruction wrought on the province by the typhoon. Sorsogon was one of the hardest hit provinces in the Bicol Region.
She also presided over the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) meeting to discuss measures to restore normal activities in the region soonest.
Local authorities in the Bicol region have estimated that the damage wrought by "Milenyo" on infrastructure facilities and agriculture would reach P4 billion, half of that in Sorsogon alone.
There is nothing better than being prepared to face disaster that may come any time in our life, that is to include man made or caused disasters.
On BillBoards Ban
The Government is quick to order the Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) to clean up areas where billboards of different sizes had collapsed due to the onslaught of typhoon Milenyo and the cuurent hazards being brought to the country by typhoon Neneng.
President Arroyo wants hazardous billboards off the streets, as the government has started dismantling those found in gross violation of public safety.
This problem demand a sense of responsibility among billboard owners and advertisers for mapping out safety measures to protect the public.
We should not blame the government for the said move as the safety of the public is as stake with these deemed hazardous billboards not only in Metro Manila but other parts of the country as well. (PIA 12) [top]
