Press Release
October 6, 2009

Villar wary about an extended state of calamity

Nacionalista Party President Senator Manny Villar said that after rescue and relief, a greater task of rebuilding is needed to help typhoon victims to truly recover from the tragedy. However, he said, this does not merit too drastic actions and sweeping calls from the government.

"Regarding Malacañang's plan to extend its declaration of a state of calamity for a year or longer, this has to be evaluated further. Some areas are also recovering faster than the others. There has to be a balance and a consensus. At this early, business groups are already wary about the idea, they should be consulted to see how it will affect them," said Villar.

The Makati Business Club, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the Federation of Philippine Industries among other business groups have called expressed alarm about the planned extension of the state of calamity status.

According to them, it may create more problems for the country such as job losses and supply shortage. Other business groups even fear that it may lead to a state of emergency and the exercise of police powers.

"It is understandable that we have to prioritize the needs of the flood victims but we have to take into account the repercussions of our actions to other sectors. In this case, if the business sector will be affected, it will have a chain reaction if our economy will slow down because of it," added Villar.

According to Villar, "It is also important to put a semblance of normalcy to the people's lives as soon as possible. Even the flood victims need to go back to their homes, to their jobs and move on eventually. They cannot rely on people's charity for long, we have to make them self-reliant again."

Regarding the feared food shortage due to the extensive damage wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in agricultural crops and infrastructure, Villar said all possible efforts should be exerted to avert its possibility.

Damage from Ondoy alone reached over P5.5 billion, while Pepeng hit many rice-producing areas in northern Luzon and create damage of nearly a billion already based on estimates. Based on estimates from the Department of Agriculture: 22,669 metric tons of palay, valued at P403.2 million, when Pepeng wrought havoc to 35,494 hectares of rice-growing farmlands in Isabela and Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera region.

"The production of our farmers is really badly affected since most of their crops and infrastructure were damaged. The effect of this in food supply may not be felt in the last few months of the year and the agriculture department has made assurances about that. But the negative effects will likely manifest early next year," cited Villar.

According to Villar, "At this early, the concerned government departments and agencies should already put in place mechanisms to ensure the stable supply of food until next year. At the same time, help should be extended to farmers who suffered losses due to the typhoons."

News Latest News Feed