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Lacson eyes 'dictatorial, consultative' rehab leadership

Louis Bacani - The Philippine Star

December 2, 2013 | 1:05pm

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator and now Visayas rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson said he would use both a "dictatorial" and "consultative" approach in the reconstruction efforts in typhoon-hit areas, which he hopes would be completed within the term of President Aquino.

At a televised news forum on Monday morning, Lacson said he had consulted architects and urban planners after President Aquino offered him the position to lead the rehabilitation of areas hit by Super Typhoon "Yolanda."

The former senator admitted that with the magnitude of devastation in some areas, the rehabilitation will be "daunting" but nevertheless "doable."

"Talagang napakalaki ng pinsala at mukhang maraming lugar na talagang kailangang magstart from zero, from scratch.," Lacson said.

But according to the experts he consulted, Lacson said completing the rehabilitation before Aquino's term ends in June 2016 is achievable.

â€œSiyempre hindi daw completely sure pero doable,â€ Lacson said. â€œIf I can accomplish 85 or 90 percent, okay na 'yon for me.â€

It will be almost a month now after Yolanda, considered as among the strongest typhoons ever recorded, slammed into the country and ravaged several areas in Eastern Visayas with its powerful winds and tsunami-like storm surge.

According to the latest data of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a total of 5,670 people have been reported dead, 26,233 are injured while 1,761 remain missing.

More than 11.2 million were affected in 588 municipalities and 57 cities including over 200,000 residents staying inside evacuation centers.

Over four million people were displaced by the monster typhoon after it damaged over a million houses.

'Iron fist but consultative'

Lacson said he only accepted the post on Sunday, but has already hinted that that those who will misuse the public funds intended for the reconstruction efforts will face his wrath.

He said among the big challenges in the rehabilitation are the monitoring and utilization of funds, and dealing with social issues such as the reported looting incidents in the devastated areas.

"Itong bagong tarabaho na ito, as much as possible, gusto ko rito consultative tapos may harmony, walang away. Ang nakikita ko lang na makikipag-away ako rito, pag may nakita akong maling paggamit ng pondo. Wherever it may be or whoever may be involved, doon na naman siguro babanat ang pagkabasagulero ko," Lacson said.

Saying his expertise is law enforcement, the former Philippine National Police chief added that his new role as rehabilitation czar needs both a consultative and an "iron fist" style of leadership.

"There should be a balance between being dictatorial and being consultative," Lacson said. "Hindi naman pwedeng puro consultation tapos merong lantaran naman na violations like looting."

The former senator said he prefers that the private sector takes the initiative in funding and implementing rehabilitation projects while he and the government will serve as an enabler and overseer.

Lacson said the private sector is more efficient than the government, which may be slowed down by bureaucratic red tape.

"Let's face it, 'yung pagdating sa mga ganitong rehabilitation, reconstruction, structural designs, mas mabilis kumilos ang private sector," he said.

"I don't want to be bogged down in the middle of this endeavor," he added.

Lacson also admitted that he expects a lot criticism ahead in his new work, which he said will have politics and dynamics as obstacles.

"Maraming trabaho at maraming batikos ito," he said.