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Sunday, July 06, 2008
Typhoon damages may go above 'average' in 2008: official
MANILA -- Typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen) has left the country more than two weeks ago and the economy became part of its casualties, a Malacañang official said Saturday.
Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said the P11.546 billion in damages caused by Typhoon Frank alone threatens to push the damage caused by typhoons for 2008 way above the yearly average.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
"The average damage caused by typhoons in the Philippines is about P15 billion. 'Frank' alone caused almost P12 billion already. So we should brace for more damages this year," said Golez, who is also deputy administrator of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.
Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) said two to three cyclones are expected for this month alone.
Golez said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the fast tracking of rehabilitation work to cope with the effects of typhoons that hit the country so far this year.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Alexander Yano meanwhile commended the special team from the General Headquarters (GHQ), which was sent to Iloilo Province in support to the ongoing disaster relief operations for the typhoon victims.
Brigadier General Jorge Segovia, head of the GHQ Augmentation Cell, said the military chief immediately organized the team to provide support to the government's relief operation efforts.
The group also assisted the US aircraft aboard the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Group, who airlifted relief goods in the far-flung areas.
Segovia said the group stayed in Iloilo to help the local officials, non-government organizations, and soldiers in responding to the immediate needs of the victims.
During Friday's simple rites, Yano presented the Gawad sa Kaunlaran Awards to the members of the augmentation group:
They were: Segovia, deputy chief of staff for operations; Air Force Major Vincent Incognito of the AFP Command Center; Army Major Rolly Dumawa, Civil Military Operations officer; Army Major Cesar Fernandez, deputy chief of staff for intelligence; Army Major Cirilo Aruta, deputy chief of staff for logistics; Marine Captain Neil Estrella of Civil Relation Service; Army Captain Marte Panadero of the Communications Electronics Information System; Army Private First Class Cheryl Paracuelles; Air Force A1C Julius Seriosa; Navy Petty Officer 2 Donald Causing; Army Staff Sergeant Pedro Brac; Army Technical Sergeants Douglas Estrada and Alfredo Manuel; and Air Force Master Sergeant Mario Pablo.
The award is given to acknowledge these military personnel for their valuable achievements in pursuit of socio-economic development and other non-combat activities of the AFP geared towards improving the lives of the people in the remote barangays in the different provinces of Panay Island.
The team, who assisted the local government and the 3rd Infantry Division in the transition phase of rehabilitating the affected areas, made a courtesy call to Yano after their arrival from Iloilo.
Yano also said the US government, through US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, lauded the accomplishment of the team, which serves as "model" in terms of conducting such operations.
He added that the team is worthy of recognition for having effectively coordinated with concerned agencies and local executives for the relief and rehabilitation operations. (JMR/VR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (July 6, 2008 issue)
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