Aquino rekindles Edsa spirit, pays tribute to disaster victims in DavOr
CATEEL, Davao Oriental – Rekindling the spirit of the 1986 Edsa Revolution, President Benigno S. Aquino III paid homage to the historic event last February 24 in different disasterstricken provinces in the country, including Davao Oriental, which has already been marked with evident recovery and development.
Starting off in this town, Aquino, along with some members of the Cabinet, broke away from the traditional conduct of the event at the nation’s capital to pay tribute to the people’s resilience and will-power that greatly contributed to the fast recovery of affected provinces, thus igniting the spirit of People Power.
With the theme “Kapit bisig tungo sa Pagbangon,” the 28th Edsa Anniversary celebration feted the gains that have been achieved in devastated areas through the bayanihan spirit.
During his visit, President Aquino hailed the undertakings of the different national agencies through the Task Force Pablo in all its rehabilitation efforts. He also divulged that the national government is allocating P10.5 billion for the recovery of the devastated communities.
On the housing program, the president reported that through funds from the DSWD and counterparts from the National Housing Authority and the provincial government, continuous construction is being implemented while ensuring that residents are properly relocated on safer zones.
Aquino hopes to complete relocation of some 1,179 families in Cateel town alone by August, this year. In Cateel alone, 110 houses were already completed and turned over to its respective beneficiaries.
To date, the national government targets about 17,480 families to receive permanent shelters in the provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.
Aside from housing units, the national government has also allocated 573.56 million pesos for cash-for-work program that benefited about 57,890 beneficiaries while about 508,234 food packs were distributed to affected families in Davao Oriental.
In terms of agriculture and livelihood, President Aquino cited the innovative Hot Pablo Chili Production that opened livelihood opportunities to farmers, who were previously dependent on their coconut farms before typhoon Pablo struck.
With its short-term gestation period of only three months, local chili products were already exported to different countries, including Brunei, Singapore, and recently in Guam. Impressed with the new emerging trade with its high export demand, the president hopes to expand and boost its production.
President Aquino assured that the government is giving more focus on producing high quality crops, efficient irrigation and livestock production in support to the agriculture and livelihood sector.
Meanwhile, in terms of power restoration, the president ordered the concerned agencies, including the National Electrification Authority (NEA) to restore power in the 24 barangays in the three hard-hit towns, which to his surprise were still left without power.
Aquino said celebrating the Edsa Anniversary outside Manila was indeed a right choice to be with his fellow countrymen who are still reeling from vast challenges brought about by the brunt of different disasters that recently struck the nation.
He lauded the people of Davao Oriental for their resilience amidst the crisis they have been facing while keeping the bayanihan spirit alive coupled with the desire to bounce back. He said he is confident that Davao Oriental will fully recover soon.
“Naniniwala po tayo na sa bawat pagkadapa at sa bawat pagbangon, sa bawat initiatibang nagsisgurong walang maiiwan sa ating paglalakbay sa matuwid na landas, naisasabuhay natin ang tunay na diwa ng People Power,” he said.
After his first stop in Cateel, Aquino proceeded to the four other disaster-stricken provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, and Eastern Samar.