Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos leads the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in approving the post-Odette rehabilitation  progressive report for Bohol. The report was approved on Jan. 11, 2022.

In order to provide adequate and equitable provision of assistance to typhoon Odette’s victims, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) with Gov. Arthur Yap in the lead, came up with a damage assessment report based on the data presented and gathered from 37 local government units (LGU).

The progressive assessment report was adopted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bohol led by Vice Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2021. This progressive report will become one of the bases for the crafting of plans for the priority programs and projects. The report is called progressive since there are 7 LGUs which are yet to submit their respective damage assessment reports.

According to Atty. John Titus Vistal, chief of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), the plan follows an outline that was indicated in the guidelines set forth by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the World Bank.

Moreover, Vistal clarified that more data are expected once the 11 LGUs submit their respective damage assessment reports.

Based on the progressive report, massive damage was inflicted on infrastructure in Bohol. Thus, a huge chunk of the budget for the rehabilitation plan will be allocated for the rehabilitation of infrastructure. Aside from infrastructure, the typhoon also brought havoc to the economy of the province.

Meanwhile,  the vice governor is hopeful that the budget for the rehabilitation of the damage here in Bohol will be included in the 2023 General Appropriations Act of the national government.

Relampagos said that the recovery and rehabilitation program’s full implementation may take time due to the large amount of money that is needed.