Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Gloria Leaves For The US

While Typhoon Frank was ravaging the Philippines and the Filipinos were grimacing from pains, its President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo flew to the United States for a 10 days working visit.

With her according reports were 59 congressmen, two (2) Senators, 10 members of her Cabinet, her relatives and aides.

To name some, the members of the entourage from the House of Representatives were Speaker Prospero Nograles, Rachel Arenas, Elpidio Barzaga, Amelita Villarosa and Raul del Mar. The 10 Cabinet officials were Sec. Alberto Romulo – DFA, Sec. Margarito Teves – Finance, Sec. Peter Favila – DTI, Sec. Gilbert Teodoro- DND, Sec. Ronaldo Puno – DILG, Sec. Arthur Yap – Agriculture, Sec., Rolando Andaya–Budget, Marianito Roque – Labor, Sec. Jesus Dureza – Press and Sec. Ignacio Bunye – Pres. Spokesman.

Amando Tetangco of BSP, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and Sen. Richard Gordon were in the entourage. Yes, Rep. Mikey and Rep. Dato Arroyo were also in the entourage.

In Aklan, typhoon Frank killed 50 persons and injured 424 others. Until today, eight (8) persons are still missing.

According to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council Damage report, some P2.079 billion were damaged in agriculture, lifelines, infrastructures. Frank damaged 48,930 houses in Aklan, 13,239 of which were totally damaged.

It adversely affected 73,681 families with 294,844 members according to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, this damage report is not yet final as additional damage reports from the barangays of the 17 towns of Aklan are still coming.

In a meeting of the Aklan Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council, some P40 million worth of relief goods were distributed to the victims. The relief packages came from donations from the Local Government of Aklan and municipalities, from government agencies, NGOs, PNRC and Senators Mar Roxas, Bong Revilla, Loren Legarda and Manny Villar.

Chairman Bayani Fernando of the MMDA dispatched the MMDA equipment and crew members to help Kalibo clear the one-foot deep mud. “Donations received from several sources will be reported to the public as soon as the records are submitted to us,” said Gov. Marquez. /MP

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