THE Department of Public Works and Highways no longer has any reason to delay the construction of flood control projects or rehabilitation of urban drainages nationwide after receiving the lion’s share, worth P454.721 billion, in the 2017 budget, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said.
Ejercito issued this reminder to DPWH to quickly act after flash floods inundated Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental on Monday, leaving thousands stranded.
“We supported DPWH to get 13.5 percent of the 2017 national budget in order to fund the government’s most ambitious infrastructure program. Now, it is time for DPWH to fulfill this task and get down to work,” the senator said as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Works.
Ejercito lamented that many areas in Mindanao, particularly Cagayan de Oro remains vulnerable from flashfloods six years after Typhoon “Sendong” hit the city in 2011.
“We don’t want a repeat of Sendong in CDO or anywhere around the country. As early as now, DPWH should prioritize these projects to avert future disasters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Bam Aquino filed two resolutions seeking to determine the status of relief and rehabilitation of schools destroyed by Typhoon “Nina” in Regions IV-A, IV-B and V and post-disaster recovery in the Lawin-ravaged Cagayan province.
In Senate Resolution No. 266, Aquino said 1,046 schools sustained infrastructure damage, 1,548 totally destroyed classrooms and 3,797 partially major damaged classrooms in Regions IV-A, IV-B and V.
“Thousands were affected due to the change in the schedule of classes caused by the devastation of the typhoon,” Aquino said, adding that the disruption in classes will last for six months as estimated by the Department of Education.
In addition, 63,232 units of school furniture, 386,689 learning resources and computers in 384 schools were destroyed by the typhoon, which wreaked havoc on Christmas Day.
“Preparedness and long-term solutions are needed to mitigate the effects of typhoons and natural hazards to students and learners,” said Aquino, who also backed the DepEd’s call for the restoration of the P650-million Quick Response Fund.
According to Aquino, some of the solutions include the early allotment of funds for cleanup and temporary learning services, buffer stock of furniture and computers and their prepositioning in disaster-prone areas.
Aquino also submitted Senate Resolution No. 267 to ensure proper coordination between the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, concerned local government units and private sector in the delivery of humanitarian aid to typhoon victims in Cagayan.
“This will lead to the recovery and the restoration of the livelihood, welfare and well-being of the affected families, particularly the children and the youth,” said Aquino.
