TACLOBAN CITY - Magsasaka Partylist Rep. Argel Cabatbat stressed that rehabilitation efforts should still be included in the presidential candidates' agenda.
“It seems that Supertyphoon 'Yolanda' and Visayas have already been forgotten. This election is critical because this brings promises of change for all, including the survivors of the super typhoon ng 2013,” Cabatbat said.
The Deputy Minority Leader of the congress said part of the program of the Magsasaka Partylist is the reconstruction of the Visayas, which they have been focusing on.
Magsasaka Partylist 4th nominee Danny Carranza who is also the leader of the Community of Yolanda Survivors and Partners (CYSP) said he is focusing on rehabilitation and housing projects in the areas.
“We have talked with a lot of survivors who are complaining because they have been waiting for the rehabilitation efforts to be completed -- to have their own farmlands, build safer shelters, and have adequate sources of income but help has long been delayed," lamented Carranza.
Aside from housing, some of the issues they have raised are the issuance of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) that has allegedly gone back to the renegotiation stage and the Rice Tariffication Law.
"We will be persistent in our fight to defend the rights of our farmers, especially in Leyte and Samar areas. They can always count on us for legal assistance concerning land rights," he added.