Gov Catamco wants to fast track earthquake rehab programs, creates restoration task force

Amas, Kidapawan City – With the intention “to bring back normalcy in the lives of our people”, a task force was created to fast track rehabilitation and recovery program for earthquake victims here.

The Task Force, created through an executive order issued by Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco, immediately convened in a 3-day Planning and Workshop to strategize and plan out key programs and activities for immediate implementation within 2 years from December 2019 to December 2022 to efficiently execute the plan’s goals and effectively move its aspirations forward.  The workshop which was conducted Tuesday to Thursday December 3-5, 2019 is part of a series of workshops towards the formulation and consolidation of the Comprehensive Provincial Restoration Program (CPRP).

Governor Catamco said that one of the key functions of the Task Force is to unify, harmonize, and strengthen all rehabilitation efforts and assistance to earthquake affected areas.  She also stressed the need to decongest evacuation centers in schools for children to be able to return to their classes and also the need for adequate support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who would like to return to their homes.

“Our immediate concern is to help our people go back to their normal lives – our children must return to their schools as soon as possible, and our families who may return to their homes must be given the support and intervention they need,” the governor said.

Some of the programs proposed by the task include, but not limited to, repair of damaged houses and important structures such as roads and water systems, construction of temporary shelters for IDPs and temporary learning shelters for students, provision of complete back to school kit for qualified students, provision of livelihood assistance including skills training, reforestation, information and education campaign on disaster preparedness and health, among others.  

Said proposals were presented during the Joint Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PPOC / PDRRMC) Meeting today for the council’s approval and recommendation to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.     The task force will convene again next week and conduct another workshop with the Local Government Units (LGUs) concerned as part of the crafting of the comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery plan.  A Donors Forum will also be conducted on December 17, 2019.//lqg// 

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