JICA: Much still to be done in Yolanda areas

MANILA, Philippines - The head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) hailed the efforts of Filipinos to reconstruct communities devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda, but said much needs to be done for these areas to fully recover.

“I was impressed by the efforts of the people there to recover. But there are huge challenges they should overcome,” JICA president Akihiko Tanaka said during a press briefing at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City yesterday.

“JICA is in the process of bringing in quick-impact reconstruction effort,” he added.

This is the third time for Tanaka to visit the Philippines since he was named JICA head in 2012.

Tanaka was among  several leaders of international organizations who went to Eastern Visayas to check on the rehabilitation and recovery efforts for typhoon survivors.

He said he is sending 50 experts in Yolanda-affected areas to survey and identify priorities in the reconstruction process.

“We need to do quick-impact projects to make people safer when typhoon season comes,” he said.