P-Noy calls for revisit of disaster plans in search of long term, permanent solutions

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 15, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  President Benigno S. Aquino III called revisit of disaster plans, collation of all proposals so that long term and more permanent solutions will be reached.

President Aquino made the statement during the briefing on the effects of flooding at St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, and the LGU’s interventions on disaster risk reduction management and disaster response mechanisms.

The President said that long term if not permanent solutions must be determined to avoid unnecessary lost of lives and properties; and unnecessary expenditures.

In relocating the affected families of disaster-prone areas, the new site must be totally safe and not identified as a disaster-prone area.

President Aquino also called for proper assessment of the disaster so that the priority concerns will be immediately served and met.

The areas that are mostly affected must be given immediate attention, the President said, as he noticed the big number of affected families in Northern Samar.

Together with the President were DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman, DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, Presidential Spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda and USec Benito T. Ramos, Administrator of OCD, Executive Officer of NDRRMC and Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla who met the President at Ormoc.