President Benigno S. Aquino III hailed Bohol's early recovery and rehabilitation efforts while slowly rising from the rubble of an earthquake that struck the province on Oct. 15, 2013. “We are impressed by the resilience” of Bohol, the President told the crowd that jam-packed the grounds of earthquake-hit Cong. Natalio Castillo Memorial Hospital during his fourth visit Monday of Loon, Bohol, hardest quake-hit town. The President, who came in very late in the afternoon but candidly asked an apology, also expressed thanks to the Boholano people and officials led by Gov. Edgar Chatto for showing unity and sacrifice to work together for the benefit of the calamity victims.

He cited “Bayanihan” as a driving force of the Boholanos in their rehabilitation effort during his message as a prelude to the 28th anniversary of EDSA people power revolution in 1986. “Hindi kayo nag-iisa,” the President said, referring to the national government's aid, not only in the form of relief goods to the quake victims but also financial support to rebuild damaged homes. The national government thru the DSWD has downloaded an initial check worth P317.5 million recently to build 8,083 homes in 17 prioritized quake-ravaged towns through the Habitat for Humanity Foundation. In building resilient houses, the National Housing Authority (NHA) has earlier poured some P380 million. Gov. Edgar Chatto expressed gratitude to the President and international donor agencies, and initiatives of the private sector in extending help in many forms, for the recovery of the province.

Prior to his address here, the President inspected the bunkhouses in Barangay Cogon Norte in this town being built by private firm and funded by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for the 100 internally displaced families. Upon his arrival here, the President was welcomed by Chatto, Vice Governor Concepcion Lim, Cong. Rene Relampagos, and other local executives. The President was accompanied by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, DSWD Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, PCOO Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, and DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in his visit here.

INSPECTION OF BUNK HOUSES

President Aquino, upon arrival here, proceeded to Loon to inspect the construction of bunkhouses and service facilities for the residents affected by the earthquake at Barangay Cogon in Loon. The construction of bunkhouses (10 units and each unit has 10 rooms) and service facilities in Loon, which started January of this year, is now near completion. There is also an ongoing construction of bunkhouses in Tubigon. After the inspection of the bunkhouses and service facilities, President Aquino toured the retrofitted Congressman Natalio P. Castillo Sr. Memorial Hospital at Barangay Basac, Loon. He also checked some parts of the hospital damaged by the earthquake. The hospital serves the constituents of seven nearby towns, namely, Maribojoc, Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Clarin, Inabanga and San Isidro.

A town hall meeting was held where the President had a dialogue with the survivors of super typhoon "Yolanda" and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake. Prior to his visit here in Bohol, President Aquino on Monday went first to Cateel, Davao Oriental. The President celebrated the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution by visiting the communities struck by the recent calamities outside Metro Manila. President Aquino also visited Cebu, Samar, and Leyte on Tuesday. This year's theme of the EDSA People Power anniversary was EDSA 28, “Kapit Bisig Tungo sa Pagbabago.” (RIC V. OBEDENCIO)