MinDA cites integrated approach to rebuild Pablo-hit areas

CONTINUING SUPPORT.  U.S.

Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr.

(2^nd from left) cites continuing

support for ongoing relief as

well as reconstruction plan for

areas affected by typhoon Pablo

in a recent visit to Mindanao.

Joining him are Social Welfare

Secretary Corazon Soliman,

Mindanao Development

Authority chair Luwalhati

Antonino and Compostela Valley

Gov. Arturo Uy. 

DAVAO CITY — The hard part of carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas ravaged by super typhoon Pablo requires integration of all strategies and resources, says Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino.

In a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. and officials of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program Office here recently, Antonino stressed the need for greater coordination in doing medium and long term programs.

The meeting was also attended by Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Governors Arturo Uy and Corazon Malanyaon of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, respectively.

“We need all hands on deck to do the job of bringing normalcy to the lives of affected families and to move ahead with rehabilitation and reconstruction,” Antonino said, adding that, “the broader scale of medium and long term interventions entail greater integration.” 

As immediate needs of affected families such as food, shelter and other basic necessities are currently being address by the DSWD with support from international development partners and private volunteer organizations, MinDA together with LGUs of affected provinces and other key agencies are starting to put together plans for early recovery and long term reconstruction.  

“With the extent of damage that we now see unfold, it’s out of the question that there is much that needs to be done to bring back what typhoon Pablo has taken away, in terms of livelihood and employment opportunities,” she said.

A report made by MinDA noted that the initial impact assessment pointed to significant pull down of agricultural output including export oriented commodities, and a projected dent on Mindanao’s overall agri-industry performance.

It recorded a total value loss in production of P25.8 billion due to damages that cover total or partial destruction of physical assets existing in the affected area. Its monetary value is expressed in terms of replacement costs according to prices prevailing just before the event.

MinDA also noted the expected value losses of P9.6 billion for 2013, which cover employment (direct and indirect), businessmen’s income, losses from rental of lands and other related services.

“It bears to point out that the hard hit areas of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental are among the top producing agricultural provinces of the country, especially banana, coconut and other high value commodities,” according to MinDA.

It added that the next two to three years of rehabilitation and reconstruction will certainly need to have strong focus on reviving the agri-industry strength of these areas to provide greater employment opportunities and catch-up growth. 

please click to link related article on video......
* Typhoon Pablo Hit My Town Of Compostela, Mindanao