Tudela VM hits NHA-7 policy on Yolanda aid

CEBU, Philippines - Tudela Vice Mayor Greman ‘Jojo’ Solante yesterday criticized the National Housing Authority-7 for allocating a very small amount of financial assistance to every family who are victims of typhoon Yolanda in Camotes Island.

Solante reacted to earlier reports that the NHA-7 had only allotted P2,500 for every family living in protected areas which lands are not titled, as compared to mainland Cebu victims which is P250,000 per family.

“Ang P2,500 against P250,000 (in mainland Cebu), lisod kaayo na sabton sa mga tao, and it would be unfair para sa mga affected families sa Camotes and Bantayan, nga ingon ana ilang treatment,” he said.

If the NHA-7 wants to help the victims of calamity, Solante said, it should not be strict in its guidelines in Tudela and Bantayan because the lots in these islands are only covered with tax declarations.

He said that Bantayan and Camotes Islands are owned by the national government, being protected areas, thus could not be titled.

He stressed that his town has never invited the typhoon to ravage their place just for his constituents to receive assistance from the national government.

According to the vice mayor, Tudela officials are still hoping that NHA-7 would reconsider their policy.

“Ang akong nahibaw-an, ang president sa League of Municipal Mayors, si Mayor (Aljun) Diamante, naghimo na og representation to NHA nga i-consider ang Camotes Island ug Bantayan Island nga pulos lang covered with tax declaration. Kay unsa man ang kalainan? Although, we understand nga ang tax dec is a proof of possession only, while ang title is a proof of ownership,” he said.

Solante added that Cebu fifth district Rep. Ace Durano would re-file a bill seeking for the reclassification of the entire Camotes Islands which are mostly dry land and mangrove, into alienable and disposable, to lift the islands as protected area.

He said for now, Tudela will construct earthquake and typhoon-resilient houses through the Interlocking Compressed Earth Block technology.

The pulverizing and molding machine to be used in the ICEB would cost P300,000, the budget of which was already approved by Governor Hilario Davide III.

Solante said that prior to the ICEB project, they already constructed 12 housing units but was stopped because of the ‘substandard’ declaration of VICSAL and Task Force Paglig-on.

“Mahug gyod og sayang, pero overall, kon ato tong gi-continue to, mas dako ta og damage kay substandard man. Pero ang mga tao, nalipay na sa bag-ong design sa balay,” he said.

For now, affected families are still using the tarpaulins distributed by the government as their temporary shelter.

The town is planning to build 200 housing units using ICEB technology, he said. (FREEMAN)