Lacson’s resignation saddens Cebu leaders

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante, the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Cebu, are saddened over the resignation of former senator Panfilo Lacson as rehabilitation czar.

“It is sad that he is resigning. This is a setback kay para nako pod, so far, dako na siya og nabuhat. (I am hoping that) somebody pod nga maayo pareha niya ang mo-take over,” Davide told reporters yesterday.

Davide said Lacson who was appointed as head of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, was doing a good job and was, in fact, ‘instrumental’ in the approval of the province’s P12 billion rehabilitation and recovery plan for areas ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda last year.

Diamante, too, said Lacson was a big loss since he has been ‘active and sincere’ in his duty as rehab czar. He, however, said he understands Lacson’s decision, which may have been prompted by the absence of “authority” for him to carry out rehabilitation efforts.

“Pero siguro under pressure siya kay wa gyod siyay budget gibutang sa iyaha. Wa siya’y ngipon ba. Sayang,” Diamante told reporters.

Even with Lacson’s resignation, Davide said he is optimistic that the efforts in northern Cebu will not be compromised because the plan is now in the hands of concerned government agencies.

“As far as the province is concerned, naaprubahan na man sa President ang rehab plan sa probinsya. Ang pag-follow up na lang gyod sa mga agencies,” the governor said.

Last October 28, the president signed the P167.9-billion rehabilitation masterplan for areas affected by Yolanda.

The Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan covers resettlement (P75.6 billion), infrastructure (P35.1 billion), livelihood (P33.6 billion), and social services (P26.4 billion).

In an earlier report of The FREEMAN, Lacson hinted his resignation during a turnover ceremony of classrooms to Yolanda-hit towns in northern Cebu last October.

He said in his speech that being ‘powerless’ frustrates him as rehab czar.

“I don’t have implementation authority, I don’t have budget, three consultants under government payroll, no capital outlay, no MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses), and probably the only czar of its kind. A superman, if you will, without power,” he said earlier.

Memorandum Order 62 provides that PARR will be the overall manager and coordinator of rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts of government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities in the areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda on November 8 last year.

Lacson tendered his ‘irrevocable’ resignation last Friday. It will take effect on February 10, 2015.

Lacson reasoned that the PARR’s job has done and post-disaster rehabilitation efforts should now be turned over to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. —/JMO (FREEMAN)