Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 27) — President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to fast track the rebuilding and rehabilitation of areas in Lanao del Norte hit by Typhoon Vinta (international name: Tembin).
Speaking at the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC) briefing in Tubod, Lanao del Norte Wednesday, he particularly cited the need to hasten the recovery of affected agricultural crops and the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure.
“Subukan lang ho namin [We will try] to fast track everything. You can be very sure of that,” he said.
The President added a meeting would be held “right after the New Year” as time was limited before the end of 2017, but he gave his assurance that money has been set aside for recovery efforts.
He said he wanted to restore normalcy to the affected areas as soon as possible, and directed the secretaries of Agriculture and Public Works to assess the situation and provide what the communities needed.
The President said the Philippine Air Force is ready to air lift food, medicine, and other supplies if necessary.
Duterte recognized the urgency to restore a sense of normalcy to Vinta-hit areas as well as search for those still missing.
“The rule in crisis management is to return as soon as possible to normalcy. That is really the objective. As soon as possible we have to go back to normalcy, kaagad, para hindi masyado ma-ano ‘yung mga tao. Then we continue with the retrieval, I supposed by this time. There are still missing persons. I hope they can be found,” he said
[Translation: The rule in crisis management is to retuen as soon as possible to normalc. That is really the objective. As soon as possible we have to go back to normalcy, immediately, so people don’t have to suffer. Then we continue with the retrieval, I supposed by this time. There are still missing persons. I hope they can be found.]
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Apart from attending the NDRRMC briefing, the President also condoled with those who lost loved ones because of the typhoon.
He was also supposed to visit Marawi and lead the turnover of temporary shelters, but the visit was cancelled because of bad weather.
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