Roxas to Zamboanga: You are not left out

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas assured the local government and residents of Zamboanga City that they will not be left out in the government's rehabilitation plan amid the onslaught typhoon Yolanda caused in Visayas.

Roxas arrived here with Public Works and Highway Secretary Rogelio Singson and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to ensure that the Aquino administration gives equal focus on rehabilitating the war-torn district here and the Eastern Visayas that was flattened by the super typhoon Yolanda.

“No, the city is not left out. Sana hindi mabahala ang mga taga-Zamboanga at mga kababayan natin dito,” Roxas said amid the massive attention given to the Yolanda affected areas.

Roxas assured that the P3.9-billion fund promised by President Benigno Aquino III has been prepared and is just awaiting the rehabilitation plan prepared by Singson and the University of the Philippines Planades with the Zamboanga Rehabilitation team.

“Ang tema ng pangulo ay talagang inadopt niya ang ideya ni Sec. Singson na build back better. Ibig sabihin hindi lang papabayaan natin na maibalik lang sa dati. Kung ano man ang itatayo dyan ay mas matibay, mas resilient lalong lalo na sa mga bagyo at anumang sakuna,” Roxas said.

Roxas, Singson and the city government are now in consultation with the leaders of those displaced residents on the government's rehabilitation plan.