Gov’t workforce to help in rehabilitation efforts

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has mobilized the country’s 1.3-strong government personnel to help speed up relief and rehabilitation operations for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Memorandum Circular No. 57 issued by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. directed all department secretaries, heads of agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations, and local government units (LGUs) to mobilize their officials and employees to assist in the relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Ochoa also signed Memorandum Order No. 61, which directed the Department of Health (DOH) to temporarily take over control of health and sanitation operations of LGUs affected by the typhoon.

“There is an urgent need to conduct immediate intensive, massive and effective relief and rehabilitation efforts to help the population in the affected localities,” he said.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees provide that government employees might render free voluntary service for humanitarian purposes.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the orders effectively expanded the relief and rehabilitation operations of the national government for typhoon-stricken areas.

“Even before the issuance of the MC, many government employees already volunteered to assist in relief efforts. This issuance makes it possible for us to mobilize even more personnel for relief efforts,” Coloma said.

“The national government recognizes that the extent of this calamity has left many LGUs crippled as local government officials were victims of this typhoon as well. The Department of Health has already activated all its resources to provide medical assistance the survivors of this tragedy,” he added.

MC 57 gives agency heads and LGUs the discretion to exempt their officials and employees who will be part of the effort from observing normal office hours or from performing their regular duties, and to determine the duration and extent of their participation.

On the other hand, MO 61 puts health and sanitation services in typhoon-stricken areas under the direct supervision and control of the DOH.

Malacañang cited Section 17 (f) of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which provides that “the national government may provide or augment the basic services and facilities assigned to a LGU” when these services or facilities are either not available or inadequate to address an emergency situation. – With Evelyn Macairan, Rainier Allan Ronda