Solons, regional directors meet on urgent Bicol concerns

LEGAZPI City (Aug. 04 2011) - Bicol congressmen and regional heads of key government agencies shall meet today at the Piazza Hotel here to take stock of damages caused by Typhoon Juaning and discuss other important regional concerns.

Congressman Sal Fortuno, chairman of the House Bicol Recovery Committee, said various government agencies shall present before the Bicol lawmakers their respective assessments, action plans as well as progress reports on ongoing tasks.

The flood in the Rinconada area and Naga City shall be among the urgent matters to be discussed.

Fortuno said the following congressmen have confirmed their attendance: Nando Gonzales and Al Francis Bichara of Albay; Jun Solis and Sonny Escudero of Sorsogon; Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes; Scot Lanete and Tony Kho of Masbate; Rene Unico and Emen Panotes of Camarines Norte and the 3 Ako Bicol representatives.

Aside from the current calamity, other matters are also up for discussion including the possible revival of the recently scrapped Bicol River Basin Development Program and its major flood control components, improvement of railway services in Bicol and more fine-tuned implementation of Conditional Cash Transfer or 4Ps program in the region.

Expected to join the lawmakers are the regional directors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Education (DepEd) and regional heads of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR). (With reports from Ernie Verdadero)