A SPECIAL task force will be made to lead the government rehabilitation of the areas that were devastated by Typhoon Ulysses, says President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a televised address, President Duterte said that has already created yesterday a special task force to ensure the immediate rehabilitation of areas devastated by Typhoon Ulysses, particularly the heavily flooded region of Cagayan Valley where rescue efforts were still ongoing.
Duterte, who expressed hope for Filipinos to rise from the tragedy, assured adversely affected residents, especially in Cagayan province, that “help is on its way.”
“Help will be coming, that assistance will be expedited in due time,” he said in Filipino, adding that the government was doing its best to provide help as soon as possible to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan and Isabela in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).
Likewise included in the places up for rehabilitation were those which were badly hit by the powerful storms in succession [Quinta, Rolly and then Ulysses].
The task force composed of representatives from various agencies was given the marching order to speed up the government’s response to the need for rehabilitation. “I directed them to streamline (processes) para madali ang (to expedite) rehabilitation efforts affected by the typhoon,” said Duterte.
To ensure prompt results, the President claims to have given the task force a timeline to take steps without delays and cut red tape to speed up the process in helping the people. Part of the directive issued by the President includes quick facilitation of rehabilitation efforts as well as the immediate distribution of relief assistance.
The President also addressed typhoon victims awaiting rescue and assistance, assuring them that all government assets at his disposal are being mobilized.
The country was still reeling from the adverse impacts of the recent typhoons when rains dumped by Ulysses in the Sierra Madre mountains cascaded down, flooding a majority of the populated areas of Cagayan Valley.
In a statement, presidential spokesman Harry Roque assured the public that the President was on top of the situation and monitoring developments in Region 2 since before dawn yesterday from his official residence at Malago compound, Malacañang.
“We continue our rescue operations in Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley and Isabela in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses,” Roque said at the Laging Handa program.