NEDA-X Leads Planning for Rehab and Recovery of Sendong-affected Areas

The representatives from the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental and the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Valencia met with the National Economic and Development Authority, Region X (NEDA-10) staff on January 17, 2012 to start the planning for rehabilitation and recovery affected by TS Sendong. This is in accordance with NEDA’s mandate as Vice-chair of the Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Committee, one of the committees of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-X).

This initial activity was able to draw up a list of priority programs and projects towards rehabilitation and recovery of the affected communities for implementation within 6 months to 1 year. Responding to the “marching order” from the President himself, the priority projects that may be implemented with funding from the Office of the President (OP) and other donors were identified.

During the meeting, a brief hazard characterization of TS Sendong, initial response and updates were presented. The participants discussed the initial listing of programs and projects by sector as submitted by various agencies and the affected LGUs to the RDC secretariat. The LGUs did a preliminary prioritization of the programs and projects according to the objectives of the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for recovery and rehabilitation and assessment of their needs.

The initial list of prioritized programs and projects shall be firmed up during a consultation/validation meeting with line agencies on January 19, 2012 for presentation to the Regional Development Council on January 20, 2012 which will endorse it to the Office of the President. (Peleta B. Abejo, KMD, NRO-X)