The government’s newest task force created to facilitate disaster rehabilitation efforts will be led by key officials of the Environment and Public Works and Highways departments, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed in an interview that DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and DPWH Secretary Mark Villar would be leading the task force, and not Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as earlier announced.
“Of course, not only is this based on science, but it also makes sense because when you talk of rehabilitation, you talk basically of roads and bridges, and buildings destroyed by calamity, which is the turf of the DPWH,” he said.
“You also talk about the scientific reasons why we have typhoons of this nature, which is climate change, and that is the rationale for the DENR co-heading the task force.”
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the creation of the inter-agency task force that will streamline rehabilitation efforts and fast-track assistance in typhoon-hit areas.
