Arroyo orders release of P45-M for damaged schoolhouses’ rehab

ILAGAN, Isabela — President Arroyo has approved the immediate release of P45 million for the rehabilitation of public school buildings in Cagayan Valley that were damaged by last month’s super typhoon "Harurot" which wreaked at least P2 billion in crop losses and infrastructure damage.

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano said the President has ordered Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin to speed up the release of the fund for the rehabilitation of damaged schoolhouses to start immediately.

The fund, Albano said, represents part of the Congressional Initiative Allotment for the nine congressmen representing Cagayan Valley.

"As such, each congressman will receive P5 million with the strict compliance to utilize the money solely for the rehabilitation of damaged school buildings in their respective districts," he said.

Of the P45-million fund, Isabela, with four congressional districts, will get P20 million; Cagayan, 15 million; and Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, P5 million each.

"We thank the President for her intercession to speed up the release of such needed funds," said Isabela’s third district Rep. Faustino Dy III.

Earlier, Dr. Teresita Domalanta, regional director of the Department of Education, said at least P50 million is needed for the repair of typhoon-damaged classrooms and other school facilities.

Isabela, the hardest-hit in the region, sustained at least P1.3 billion in crop losses and infrastructure damage; followed by Cagayan (P300 million), Quirino (P212 million) and Nueva Vizcaya (P60 million).

Mrs. Arroyo, who visited this province a day after "Harurot" unleashed its fury here, earlier had ordered the Department of Budget and Management to promptly release P35 million from her contingency fund as emergency relief assistance for the typhoon-ravaged areas here.

Meanwhile, several parts of the region, particularly in the inner towns, have remained powerless since "Harurot" battered the region three weeks ago.

Officials of the National Power Corp. and local electric cooperatives said it would take a month before power could be restored in all parts of the region. — Charlie Lagasca