RECONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS PRIORITIZED

LINGAYEN—President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo whipped up a massive rehabilitation program for Pangasinan when she flew in here on Friday  to assess the damages wrought by typhoon “Cosme” last May 17.

However, she stopped short of committing a specific budget to support the program in a in a meeting with local officials headed by Governor Amado Espino Jr., Vice Mayor Marlyn Primicias Agabas, Reps. Victor Agbayani and Rachel Arenas of the third district, vowed to help rise from massive destruction it incurred from the typhoon.

Instead, she ordered the provincial government to fully exhaust its P65 million calamity fund for rehabilitation, with the assurance that these would be replenished by Malacanang as soon as it is exhausted.

An elated Governor Espino said he is happy with Mrs. Arroyo’s pledge of support since it would hasten the province’s recovery from the massive devastation wrought by the calamity.

“The President instructed me to use all the calamity fund for rehabilitation of schools,” Espino told newsmen.

Mrs. Arroyo was originally scheduled to visit the province on Tuesday, May 27 but she decided to advance the visit by scheduling a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council in Lingayen.

The President also called on the Department of Agriculture to help the farmers recover their losses by providing them seeds, fertilizers and technology.

The Department of Public Works and Highways was also directed to help in the immediate rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures.

When informed that the typhoon exacted heavy losses on homeowners, the President pledged to provide galvanized iron sheets for those with which to rebuild their houses.

Before the President arrived, Espino had already planned on utilizing the province’s calamity fund for the rehabilitation of elementary and high school buildings damaged by the typhoon.

All school buildings in Pangasinan I School Division which covers Districts 1, 2 and 3, were heavily damaged by the typhoon.

At the same time, Rep. Arenas said President Arroyo also ordered the National Transmission Commission and the National Electrification Administration to fasttrack the restoration of electricity in typhoon-affected areas Pangasinan.

At presstime TransCo already reported 30 percent restoration of damaged electric lines in the third district of Pangasinan. . LM

DSWD denies Urduja claim

Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Director Margarita Sampang in a press statement denied the claim of provincial officials that DSWD did not given any assistance to typhoon victims of Pangasinan.

She said the distribution of goods started on May 20, 2008 in Dagupan City and Bugallon in Pangasinan with family packs and used clothings.

She said her office felt it did not have to coordinate with the provincial government after its pronouncement not to give relief assistance “beyond the period of relief” since the latter would like to focus on reconstruction of school building.

Provincial Administrator Baraan made the announcement during the meeting of Office of Civil Defense Composite Team on May 21, 2008.

According to Sampang, DSWD’s mandate is to respond to the immediate needs and requests of LGUs.

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