Gov’t moving to stop negative effects of Yolanda on economy

MANILA, Philippines - The government is preparing to halt any negative effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda on the economy during the first quarter of the year.

 â€œThe entire nation welcomed the news that the Philippine economy had grown by 6.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, which puts economic growth for the entire 2013 at 7.2 percent. With industry, services, household consumption and net exports spurring our country’s growth, there is reason to be optimistic that we can continue on an upward trajectory even as we know that the devastation caused by Yolanda may affect first quarter growth this year,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB yesterday.

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said they tackled the need to boost the economy during last Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.

Coloma said that Secretary Panfilo Lacson, presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery, presented an update on the government’s post-Yolanda rehabilitation efforts.  

Meanwhile, officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently held a dialogue with farmer-beneficiaries in typhoon-hit areas in Samar and Leyte to provide them assistance.

Agrarian Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes said the agency would help rehabilitate devastated agrarian reform communities. 

He said they have allocated additional budget for the needs of farmers affected by Yolanda.

   â€œI want to see personally the extent of damage in the areas so that I can make proper coordination with the concerned local government units in whatever help they can provide to our farmers,” he said.

DAR officials visited the municipalities of Balangiga, Marabut, Lawaan and Basey in Samar as well as Julita and Palo towns in Leyte.