Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson has accepted the offer of President Benigno S. Aquino III. to be the head of government’s rehabilitation of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan ravaged Visayan region.

Lacson will be tasked to oversee the clean-up and restoration of heavily damaged Region 8 areas that include Samar and Leyte.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Lacson said that he texted PNoy saying that “Mr. President, with all humility, and with distinct honor and privilege, I accept the task that you want me to perform and accomplish.nMaraming salamat po sa inyong tiwala at sa pagkakataong makatulong na muli sa ating mga kababayan.”

Lacson clarified that the extent of his mandate and authority is not yet clear.

According to Lacson, he accepted the position after conducting consultations and briefings with experts in the field of rehabilitation and reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas.

Lacson has been a two-term senator and a former chief of the Philippine National Police.