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Bong Go lauds release of NDRRMC funds for PCA's coco debris management plan
Bong Go lauds release of NDRRMC funds for PCA's coco debris management plan
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Sunday welcomed President Duterte’s approval to release the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) funds for the Philippine Coconut Authority’s (PCA) proposed Coconut Debris Management Plan.
The program primarily supports the government’s Shelter Assistance and Recovery Program for the communities hit by Typhoon Odette last December.
“Kinokomendahan po natin si Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang pag-apruba sa pondong ito na layuning mapabilis ang pagbibigay ng reusable housing materials para sa mga biktima ni Typhoon Odette (We commend President for approving the funds which seeks to expedite the distribution of reusable housing materials for the victims of Typhoon Odette),” Go said in a statement.
Go said he and the President witnessed first hand the damage brought about by the typhoon to the agriculture sector especially to coconut farmers.
“Kaya iniutos kaagad niya na matulungan ng gobyerno ang ating mga magsasaka at ang coconut industry (That’s why he immediately ordered that the government set up a mechanism to help our farmers and the coconut industry),” Go said.
“Aside from said benefit, it will also allow the government to expedite the disposal of affected coconut trees that pose a hazard to health and environment by converting them into coco lumbers,” the senator added.
The funds amount to P331,003,192 and will be released to the PCA. The plan is consistent with Presidential Directive No. 2022-011 for the conversion of fallen trees into reusable housing materials for Typhoon Odette survivors.
This will also facilitate increased mobility and disposal of affected coconut trees that pose a hazard to health and the environment, prevent the occurrence of pest infestation, and generate coco lumbers for the construction of temporary housing facilities for the typhoon victims.
The project also involves the hiring of 11,573 chainsaw operators who would be paid through a cash-for-work scheme, and to be implemented simultaneously in provinces in Regions IV, VI, VII, VIII, X and XIII.