ILOILO CITY – Ilonggo leaders have closed ranks, crossing party lines, to rebuild Panay Island from the damages of typhoon “Frank” that struck a month ago, with the source of funds for the reconstruction of damage and the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of flood victims their main concerns.

“Rehabilitation efforts should not have politics in it. That would be unpatriotic,” Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, who has been designated chairmen of the Task Force Bangon Panay, said in a telephone interview.

The task force is composed of the head of the Regional Development Council, governors and city mayors of the typhoon-damaged provinces and cities, national government agencies and from the private sector. Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias has been designation chief operating officer of the task force that will coordinate rehabilitation programs of the various agencies and LGUs.

Gonzalez, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development in Western Visayas, is a staunch ally of President Macapagal Arroyo, was seen linking arms with leaders of Panay Island including Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. at a special meeting of the Regional Development Council attended by all governors of Western Visayas held here last Friday.

Gonzalez said he will work with “anyone, even the devil” to help Iloilo and other typhoon affected areas and victims.

RDC Chairperson and Antique Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez, who along with other Western Visayas governors lauded the new found unity among Ilonggo leaders.

House Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor said all leaders should unite because of the daunting task of rebuilding from the ravages of the typhoon.

“In time of calamity, there is no place for disunity among leaders,” he said, also in a phone interview.

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council reported that at least 342 persons died during the typhoon in the Western Visayas region alone. Around 290 are still missing and 886 were injured.

The flooding affected around 2,545 villages and 417,399 families or 2,094,105 persons. At least 50,571 houses were destroyed and another 101,080 others damaged.

The worst hit were the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan which are still reeling from massive flooding and destruction of properties.

Gonzalez said the task force is still collating specific data of extent of damage and to identify the priorities because of the limited funds available.

The President has ordered the release of P421 million for the rehabilitation of the typhoon affected areas.

“This is really not 10 percent of the cost of the actual damage. The amount is a pittance compared to what we need,” said Gonzalez.

He said he has discussed with House Speaker Prospero Nograles the possible legislation of additional funds but this would take time.

House Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor, said the Department of Budget Management is studying whether the 2008 budget could accommodate the rehabilitation funds for Panay and Romblon Islands .

If not, the President has directed lawmakers from Panay Island to sponsor a bill for a supplemental budget amounting to P15 billion, Defensor said.*NPB

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