18 December 2013 – The Philippine Government today expressed its commitment to “Build Back Better,” a principle of building more resilient communities in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Speaking before the members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations, President Benigno S. Aquino III emphasized, “We know that we cannot allow ourselves to be trapped in a vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction. We know that it is more efficient to prioritize resilience now, rather than to keep rebuilding. This is why we are going to build back better.”
The President delivered his remarks at the closing of the Briefing for the Development Partners of the Philippines on Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda, which was co-organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Finance (DOF).
The Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) is the process of and operational framework for the rehabilitation of the disaster-affected areas. The RAY presents the results of the preliminary assessment of damage, loss and needs by sector and outlines the core principles, strategies and mechanisms in reconstruction and recovery. It is a phased, cumulative, and flexible response to address the impact of Typhoon Yolanda.
Around 75 development partners—countries, multilateral organizations and international aid agencies—were briefed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, Secretary Panfilo Lacson.
Also present were Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Press Secretary Hermino Coloma, Secretary Mary Ann Lucille Sering of the Climate Change Commission, Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon and other government officials.
The Cabinet Secretaries and development partners engaged in a dialogue on various topics, including short- and long-term rehabilitation plans, strengthening disaster risk reduction and management, institutional arrangements for the implementation of RAY, effective private sector engagement and the need for oversight mechanisms.
“With President Aquino’s leadership and your strong support, we hope to successfully implement RAY as a continuation of the President’s promise to the Filipino people. Please join us, therefore, in this extraordinary mission to rebuild, renew and reinvigorate the Visayas,” Secretary Del Rosario remarked. END