#YolandaPH Province now working on relocation venues

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government’s “Task Force Paglig-on,” the group tasked to supervise the rehabilitation of typhoon-stricken areas in northern Cebu, has reported that lands are now available for conversion into relocation sites for Yolanda survivors.

Two hectares are located in Sogod town in Barangay Bawo while three other hectares are located in the neighboring town of Borbon where at least 25 houses have been constructed.

Aside from the five hectares, the Durano family has also donated two hectares in San Francisco and Poro in Camotes Island.

Five more hectares in Tudela and two hectares in Pilar town, also in Camotes, are now being prepared.

The group also reported that it has started building houses in San Remigio town with the help of volunteers from the Central Command. They are targeting to build at least 600 houses in the area.

Governor Hilario Davide III said the province is submitting the rehabilitation program, as well as the cost of houses for those who would be relocated, to the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery headed by Panfilo Lacson.

“Ang province, we committed nga kung adunay municipalities nga manginahanglan og financial assistance for the acquisition of  the relocation sites, we are prepared to help,” Davide said.

Davide said private and non-government organizations have committed to help in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

The Islamic Relief Worldwide donated materials for the construction of 270 houses in Bantayan Island while The Rotary Club of Cebu donated home kits for 400 households in Tabuelan. Gawad Kalinga also aims to build 500 houses through its “Bayani Challenge” program.

The province’s rehabilitation effort is prioritizing the severely-hit areas of San Remigio, Bantayan Island, Madridejos, Sta. Fe, Tabogon,Borbon,  Daanbantayan, and Bogo City.

“Everything is prepare. We are currently processing the documents and rehabilitation plan per municipality,” said task force head Baltazar Tribunalo in the official website of the Capitol.

Meanwhile, Lacson clarified over the weekend that the no-build zone could not be applicable in some areas.

The no-build zone policy prohibits structures within 40 meters from the coastline in all areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda last November.

Lacson’s spokesperson, Karen Jimeno, quoted Lacson as saying that “a blanket application of the no-build zone will not address exceptional circumstances and may be impractical for certain areas.”

Jimeno said in a statement that areas with fishing industries or tourism-oriented businesses still need to build structures within 40 meters from the coastline, while other areas have high elevation and are not susceptible to storm surge.

She said Lacson has recommended the creation of distinctions between what he calls “Safe Zones, Unsafe Zones and No Dwelling Zones” that would have to be identified later.

“This would require mapping all the areas and determining the particular risks for each area (for example, inundation or landslides),” a portion of the statement reads.

The no-build zones would fall into the category of unsafe zones where the concerned local government units would issue the appropriate ordinance with respect to land use.

For unsafe zones that are needed for livelihood such as areas where fishermen build structures, Lacson proposes to consider them as “No Dwelling Zones,” Jimeno said.

“This means that structures necessary for livelihood or commercial purposes can be allowed on no dwelling zone areas, but residential structures will be prohibited,” the statement added. —/JMO (FREEMAN)