Ping wants out as rehab czar

MANILA, Philippines - Panfilo Lacson wants out of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) following what he says is the completion of his job.

In a text message yesterday to The STAR, Lacson said he is turning over the responsibilities of his office to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

“Without fear of contradiction, I will say that we got the job done,” he said.

Lacson said he is looking at a one-month transition period beginning this January.

“The bottom line is, we are a transition body and inevitably, we will have to fold up the tent down the road,” he said. “I think it is wise to allot enough time for the permanent agency to take on the functions of the OPARR.”

Lacson said turning over OPARR’s responsibilities is right since Republic Act 10121, the NDRRMC Law, is subject to congressional oversight and review within five years after its enactment on May 27, 2010.

“I did several consultations with our development partners and sponsors in the Yolanda rehabilitation efforts, particularly the private sector and the multilateral and bilateral agencies,” he said. “They are one in calling for the institutionalization of all rehabilitation and recovery efforts of the national government.”

President Aquino named Lacson presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery in December 2013 to lead the coordination in the government’s rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Yolanda-stricken areas.

Lacson said he is proposing a handover in a lock, stock and barrel type of transition.

“The balance of the job which is oversight is already underway through the eMPATHY website which will take care of the monitoring and validation of all the projects, programs and activities listed in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan or CRRP,” he said.

Lacson said OPARR’s mandate only covers the rehabilitation of Yolanda-devastated areas.

“One of the advantages of PARR is that it had the function of being the overall coordinator for all rehabilitation efforts, but PARR’s mandate only covers Yolanda-affected areas,” he said.  – Cecille Suerte Felipe