Life Style Benjo thanks officials, groups for help
Benjo thanks officials, groups for help
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 00:00
REP. Benjo Benaldo of the first congressional district of Cagayan de Oro City thanked every individual and entity who helped after the devastation of tropical storm Sendong in the city. Benaldo made his acknowledgement during a privilege speech before his colleagues at the Lower House on the first month anniversary of the tragedy yesterday, January 17. In his speech, Benaldo thanked President Aquino for his personal visit, and for his directive to ensure the full reconstruction and rehabilitation of the city. Benaldo likewise thanked Vice President Jejomar Binay who came down right after the flood and saw for himself the horrible sight of piles of dead bodies, and announced that housing projects will immediately be undertaken.
The congressman then proceeded thanking Speaker Feliciano Belmonte for initiating the contribution of P1 million from each congressman's Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the rehabilitation. "Thank you to our dear colleagues for that. The people of Cagayan de Oro will never forget your generosity, and we shall always remember, each and everyone of you," he said. Next, Benaldo thanked Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson for initiating the construction of a Sabo dam, the same one currently erected in Camiguin after the devastating 2001 flood there.
Singson also promised to undertake the dredging of the Iponan and Cagayan rivers. Benaldo also thanked three more Cabinet members - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Health Undersecretary Romulo Busuego - for their immediate assistance the days that succeeded Sendong. For the lengthy rehabilitation process, Benaldo thanked Environment Secretary Ramon Paje for granting the city government the use of public Land in Balulang for the permanent relocation; Education Secretary Armin Luistro for his agency's commitment to repair the damaged classrooms; and Education Secretary Proceso Alcala for his commitment to help in the rehabilitation of damaged farms.
Benaldo also acknowledged the following organizations which rendered help - United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), Philippine Red Cross and World Vision. He then said the following persons provided various forms of assistance to the victims - Sens. Manuel Villar and Pia Cayetano; Reps. Neptali Gonzales II, Rudy Fariñas, Miro Quimbo, Roman Romulo, Gina de Venecia, Marc Cagas, Joy Bernos and Boyet Yambao; Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu; Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy; and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino. "We shall try to mend the broken spirits, to instill a new sense of hope for those who now feel hopeless, to inspire the now dispirited, and revive the sense of confidence and pride, in those who have lost everything. We will rise, CDO!" Benaldo said.
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