Capitol’s P10.5B rehab plan OK’d

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery has already approved the P10.5 billion rehabilitation and recovery plan for northern Cebu which was affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

Task Force Paglig-on chief Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. said the Capitol’s rehabilitation plan and the corresponding budget proposal were approved by Secretary Panfilo Lacson.

Tribunalo, who was tasked to monitor the rehabilitation efforts in northern Cebu, however, said it still needs the final approval of President Benigno Aquino III before it could start its implementation.

“Sa level ni Lacson, okay na. Adto na ta kay president na pod. If the president will be satisfied after the technical review, okay na. What is important are the essential figures that have relevance to the needs sa communities and LGUs that are transparent to the public,” Tribunalo said in a text message.

Tribunalo and Governor Hilario Davide III met with Lacson in Manila Friday to discuss the rehabilitation plan for Cebu.

The P10.5 rehabilitation plan was officially sent to Lacson’s office via e-mail earlier this month.

Over P6.6 billion investment, which is more than half of the rehabilitation plan, is needed for the shelter and relocation of the typhoon victims in northern Cebu, as reported in the latest rehabilitation and recovery plan of the province.

The amount covers the site development, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and costs of shelter acquisition, and power. Apart from the shelter sector, more than P690 million investment requirement is intended for the utilities, P874 million for social infrastructures, P1.7 billion for livelihood and emergency employment  and social development, and P175 million for capacity building and trainings on disaster preparedness.

Official data shows that super typhoon Yolanda left 103,831 houses damaged in the northern part of the province. The report also shows that the amount of damage was pegged at P4.4 billion.  (FREEMAN)