Philippines rolls out post-typhoon recovery

MANILA - Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday made clear priorities of rehabilitation in central Philippines ravaged early November by super typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda.

Aquino said that according to the strategic plan of the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY), his administration will focus on housing, infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries, livelihood and business, and the delivery of health, education and other essential services in the process of reconstruction.

In terms of housing, he said that as the Philippine government is constructing bunkhouses to serve as temporary shelters for families, it is also planning to construct resilient, permanent housing communities in safe zones.

"Infrastructure will not just be repaired or rebuilt, but will be bolstered, built to be stronger and able to withstand the onslaught of disasters," he said.

To revive agriculture and fisheries, which employ a large part of Filipinos in central region of Visayas, Aquino said the concerned government agencies will train farmers and fishermen to give them new skills for greater productivity and income diversification.

The Aquino administration will also make available cash-for- work programs, and mechanisms for financing and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises to help those affected Filipinos recover while it works with private partners to attract investments in affected areas, he said.

Aquino also assured the delivery of health, education and other essential services to remain constant in areas hit by the typhoon.

The National Economic and Development Authority of the Philippines said on Wednesday that the country needs 361 billion pesos ($8.17 billion) for the recovery and reconstruction of typhoon-affected areas after Haiyan struck the country on November 8, incurring damage and loss of about 571.1 billion pesos ($12.9 billion).