PGMA orders DBM to provide funds for rehab efforts

PIA Press Release 2008/07/01

PGMA orders DBM to provide funds for rehab efforts

Iloilo City (1 July) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the authority to evaluate performance of national government in order for it to be able to answer all needs of agencies involved in the rehabilitation efforts the government is doing for typhoon "Frank" victims especially in Panay.

President Arroyo, who presided over the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)-Cabinet Meeting at the Iloilo Airport Conference Room, granted the request of DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya, in response to the budgetary requirements proposed by the Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH) and other agencies.

DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane said there are 35 bridges damaged in Western Visayas and seven of these need to be rehabilitated at the cost of Php1.427 billion.

Ebdane has requested for the initial amount of Php800 from the DBM to complete the work by end of July, which is estimated to cost Php750M.

He said they are giving priority to bridges over the road networks as long as the latter are passable at this point. The total cost of bridges damaged involved the amount of Php1,140,905,000.00, while that of the roads involved Php441,239,045.

The total infrastructure damages in Western Visayas is Php1,811,944,045.00, and the province of Iloilo got its share of Php1,215,900,000.

The DPWH has also been responding to requests for the removal of flood debris in different typhoon-stricken areas in Aklan and Iloilo, for health reasons as well as to facilitate easy clearing and cleaning. (PIA)



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