GORDON LEADS INT'L REVIEW TEAM TO DISASTER AREAS
Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), went on an extended over air and land survey yesterday of the areas in Northeastern Luzon devastated by the recent typhoons. Gordon was joined by US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, Land Bank Chairman Cito Lorenzo, European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) representative Nick Bridger, Deborah Rull of the Spanish Red Cross (SRC), Rene Jinon and Jonie Mammodi of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), Tom Doland of the US Office of Foreign Disasters Assistance, and PNRC assessment team members. The group went to the towns of Infanta, Real and Gen. Nakar in Quezon; Baler in Aurora; and Palayan, Nueva Ecija.
Gordon disclosed that the visit with the representatives of various international organizations was meant to make assessments on the current situations of the said areas strongly affected by typhoons Unding, Violeta, Winnie and Yoyong which struck the country in a mere span of three weeks.
"International support is coming and we have with us foreign experts on water, urban planning, and relief and rehabilitation who will help us evaluate the causes and possible solutions for the flooding and other typhoon-caused tragedies," Gordon said.
Gordon, who is also Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, reported that the SRC has already answered his earlier appeal for support for the victims of typhoons Unding and Violeta. Last Thursday, the SRC turned over their donation of P4.4M to the PNRC. Amb. Ricciardone, after the visit said the US government will extend support to assist in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.
According to Gordon, aside from food, medicine and other relief goods, restoration of basic infrastructure services should be prioritized. During their visit, the team found out that although the cell towers of major networks of communications were not destroyed, the services were not operational. Gordon immediately called up PLDT President and CEO Manny Pangilinan and brought the matter to the latter's attention. Pangilinan reported to Gordon after three hours that the phones lines in Baler were already restored and assured the senator that the lines in Infanta and Gen. Nakar will be restored today.
Amid numerous statements from various officials deploring illegal logging, considered to be the major factor in the flooding and flashfloods, and vowing to hold responsible the big fishes behind it, Gordon emphasized there is a need for "radical positive measures rather than radical negative measures" in confronting the problem. Gordon said he will file a bill that will impel prisoners to plant trees. According to him, low risk prisoners or those who are already under parole may be tasked to be part of the government's reforestration program. He added that tree planting may also be included in the high school and college curriculum or may also be an alternative or part of the ROTC program.
Gordon also reiterated the need for the DENR and attached agencies to conduct thorough studies to identify areas prone to flooding to be able for the government to evacuate its residents and "keep them from harm's way" even before the onslaught of typhoons
Gordon disclosed that the visit with the representatives of various international organizations was meant to make assessments on the current situations of the said areas strongly affected by typhoons Unding, Violeta, Winnie and Yoyong which struck the country in a mere span of three weeks.
"International support is coming and we have with us foreign experts on water, urban planning, and relief and rehabilitation who will help us evaluate the causes and possible solutions for the flooding and other typhoon-caused tragedies," Gordon said.
Gordon, who is also Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, reported that the SRC has already answered his earlier appeal for support for the victims of typhoons Unding and Violeta. Last Thursday, the SRC turned over their donation of P4.4M to the PNRC. Amb. Ricciardone, after the visit said the US government will extend support to assist in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.
According to Gordon, aside from food, medicine and other relief goods, restoration of basic infrastructure services should be prioritized. During their visit, the team found out that although the cell towers of major networks of communications were not destroyed, the services were not operational. Gordon immediately called up PLDT President and CEO Manny Pangilinan and brought the matter to the latter's attention. Pangilinan reported to Gordon after three hours that the phones lines in Baler were already restored and assured the senator that the lines in Infanta and Gen. Nakar will be restored today.
Amid numerous statements from various officials deploring illegal logging, considered to be the major factor in the flooding and flashfloods, and vowing to hold responsible the big fishes behind it, Gordon emphasized there is a need for "radical positive measures rather than radical negative measures" in confronting the problem. Gordon said he will file a bill that will impel prisoners to plant trees. According to him, low risk prisoners or those who are already under parole may be tasked to be part of the government's reforestration program. He added that tree planting may also be included in the high school and college curriculum or may also be an alternative or part of the ROTC program.
Gordon also reiterated the need for the DENR and attached agencies to conduct thorough studies to identify areas prone to flooding to be able for the government to evacuate its residents and "keep them from harm's way" even before the onslaught of typhoons
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
4:24 PM
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