PGMA to preside over joint Cabinet-NDCC meeting in Iloilo Tuesday

PIA Press Release 2008/06/29

PGMA to preside over joint Cabinet-NDCC meeting in Iloilo Tuesday

Iloilo City (29 June) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will preside over the joint Cabinet and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting on Tuesday here to discuss the ongoing rehabilitation and relief efforts in typhoon-damaged areas of Panay Island.

Before the start of the joint Cabinet-NDCC meeting at the NEDA compound in Fort San Pedro here, the President is also expected to conduct an aerial inspection of typhoon-affected areas in Iloilo province that include the towns of Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara and Pavia.

As of June 28, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC-6) has reported 322 deaths and 288 persons still missing mostly in Panay Island.

The RDCC reported that damage to property has reached P234.5 million, infrastructure at P1.53 billion, and agriculture at P1.38 billion.

Even while in the United States, the President has been issuing directives via video tele-conferences with her Cabinet members and NDCC officials to alleviate the damage wrought by Typhoon Frank in Region 6 including in the search and rescue efforts relative to MV Princess of the Stars which sank off the coast of Sibuyan island in Romblon.

The President has also expressed her gratitude to the United States which, at present, has stationed a naval vessel in Miag-ao and currently helping airlift relief goods to affected areas in the whole Panay Island. (PIA)

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