MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is set to issue an executive order creating “Build Back Better” task force, which would streamline the government’s response in typhoon-affected areas.
According to Malacañang, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will head the task force with various government agencies – including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Budget and Management, among others – as members.
“The task force will have a clear chain of command and direct mandate to address and monitor the multifarious issues and concerns involved in the rehabilitation and recovery phase of typhoon-affected areas,” Roque said.
“As our experiences have taught us, a typhoon’s devastating effects do not respect political boundaries and call for interventions that involve a whole of government approach, as well as immediate solutions outside of the current bureaucratic framework,” he added.
Roque further noted that the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard are tasked to provide assistance to the body.
Roque appealed to give the creation of the task force a chance after it was met with criticism, especially since the government already has the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
“Ang solusyon talaga diyan ay iyong creation ng Department of Disaster Resilience. Eh hindi pa po lumalabas. So obviously hindi po talaga sapat ‘yung (NDRRMC) na gumagana bagamat mayroon tayong Executive Director na si napakagaling na Usec. Jalad,” Roque said.
“I guess the task force really is to stress that someone has to be in charge. And the person in charge is the Executive Secretary with the full assistance of the Cabinet,” he added./PN
