Lacson wants separate office on disaster rehab

MANILA, Philippines - Rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson may suggest the creation of a separate office that will be focused on rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the aftermath of calamities.

Lacson, the presidential assistant on reconstruction and recovery, said this is due to the frequency of tropical cyclones that hit the country every year.

"We'll be hit by calamities at least 20 times a year, depende sa magnitude. We might as well have an institution that will focus on dealing with rehabilitation and recovery," the former senator said at a televised press briefing in Malacañang on Monday.

Lacson said the proposed office would be different from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, which has its own mandate.

The office could also help ensure continued aid for affected areas if the international community's attention is diverted to another country also hit by a disaster.

"Once another calamity of similar magnitude tatama sa ibang lugar...iiwanan tayo ng multilaterals, that's my biggest nightmare," he said.

Lacson was appointed by President Aquino to lead the rehabilitation efforts in the areas affected by Super Typhoon "Yolanda."

The typhoon left over 6,000 fatalities and more than 1,000 more missing after it battered Eastern Visayas with its powerful winds and tsunami-like storm surges.