(Reuters) – The cost of rebuilding houses, schools, roads and bridges in typhoon-devastated central Philippines could reach 250 billion pesos ($5.8 billion), making it likely that the government will seek cheap loans from development agencies, a senior official said on Tuesday.
If the government is successful in deploying resources for post-typhoon reconstruction, the economy may even grow faster, said Arsenio Balisacan, economic planning secretary, adding the country’s strong economic fundamentals remained intact.
I would not be surprised if it can go as high as 250 billion, Balisacan told Reuters, commenting on the likely cost of reconstruction.
($1 = 43.4 Philippine pesos)
(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)