Ernie Reyes of InterAksyon.com reports that former Senator Panfilo Lacson has accepted the offer to be the "rehabilitation czar" who will spearhead rebuilding efforts in areas hit by typhoon Yolanda.
In a text message sent to reporters on Sunday night (December 1), Lacson said he accepted President Benigno Aquino III's offer "after a series of consultations and briefings with reconstruction and rehabilitation experts over the weekend." Lacson's task as rehabilitation czar also include restoring public infrastructure in areas affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in the Visayas region.
More than P130 billion in government funds has been allocated by the national government for post-typhoon reconstruction efforts. Budget secretary Florencio Abad said he expects more monetary commitment to come from foreign organizations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the European Union.
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