The House Panel of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management has directed the Office of the Civil Defense and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to submit a consolidated damage assessment report on tropical storm “Sendong”, and the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Negros Oriental.

Rep. Rodolfo Biazon (Muntinlupa City, Lone District), chairman of the committee, said the report should also include that on Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, that were also badly hit by “Sendong”.

The committee conducted a hearing in Negros Oriental yesterday to determine if there’s a need for legislative responses as a result of the recent calamities.

Biazon said he understands that the quick response fund of the executive branch may not be enough, so Congress may be able to pass a supplemental budget on this matter.

In Negros Oriental, P365 million is needed for the rehabilitation and restoration of damaged infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, school buildings and other government installations.

Biazon cited the need for the Department of Science and Technology to re-examine existing geo-hazard maps to be attuned to present times.

The House panel also directed the OCD to fasttrack the payments of financial assistance to the families of quake fatalities. Of the 58 confirmed dead in Negros Oriental, only the families of 39 had so far been given assistance.

Mayor Ernesto Reyes of Guihulngan said the city gave families of the dead P10,000 each.

Biazon lamented that in Cagayan de Oro, hundreds of victims are still awaiting financial assistance from the government due to hitches in the issuance of death certificates.

He urged agencies to hasten the issuance of death certificates and as to when missing persons be declared as officially dead, as a matter of national policy.

The hearing was attended by Gov. Roel Ragay Degamo, city and town mayors, and Reps. Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st District) and Pryde Henry Teves (3rd District).*JG

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