Post Ondoy dialogue planned by DILG

As part of the government’s plans of helping communities and local government units get back on its feet after the devastation brought about by the last two typhoons, the Department of Interior and Local Government is planning to meet with the LGUs and communities to assess the current situation. The planned meet-up scheduled by the department on October 9, 2009 will also target some concrete steps that can be recommended to these local government units on how they can move forward after these calamities.

The meeting with communities and LGUs affected by the last two typhoons will be facilitated by acting Secretary Melchor Rosales. Rosales is currently the acting secretary since Secretary Ronnie Puno is out of the country to accompany his wife for an operation. The proposed meet-up is called ‘Post Ondoy Reconstruction: A Dialogue with LGUs’. It is expected that this meeting of minds will then help guide the LGUs and communities on how they can reconstruct their respective areas of responsibilities. In a statement, acting secretary Rosales said that now is the time for us to work together to reconstruct and rebuild the battered communities.

If the meeting goes according to plans, the local chief executives of the affected areas are expected to report the damages and the effects of the Typhoon ‘Ondoy’ to their communities. They are also expected to update the department regarding the status of the rehabilitation and the relief efforts currently underway in their areas. Plus, they are also expected to cite the other issues and problems in their respective areas that need to be addressed immediately. The dialogue between the department and the representatives of the LGUs will be held at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Camp Crame in Quezon City. Participants to the said dialogue includes governors, city and municipal mayors, local police officers and also fire chiefs coming from Metro Manila and nearby provinces.