National gov’t aid delay Davide appeals for patience

CEBU, Philippines - With super typhoon Yolanda survivors in Bantayan Island expressing concern that they still have not received their emergency shelter assistance a year after the disaster, the Capitol appealed for them to extend their patience since the province is also dependent on the national government when it would release the financial aid.

Governor Hilario Davide III assured that he was aware that the residents, along with others in northern Cebu, have been subjected to delay in getting their assistance from the government.

“Please be patient. Mohangyo ako kaninyo sa inyong pagsabot, sa inyong pasensya lang gyud. Maningkamot ang tanan, magtinabangay lang gyud ta aning atong rehabilitation aron makumpleto lang gyud ang recovery sa (I beg for your understanding, for your patience. We all would exert our best effort; let us just help each other in our rehabilitation for the full recovery of the towns of) Bantayan, Santa Fe, Madridejos, ug sa ubang trese ka (and that of 13 other) LGUs (local government units),” he said.

Davide and other government officials arrived in Bantayan island at 8 a.m. yesterday to participate in Bantayan town’s commemoration of the event at the municipal plaza.

From the plaza, he proceeded to Barangay Sillon, Bantayan for the ceremonial turn-over of cash grants and other forms of assistance with international relief organization Islamic Relief Worldwide. The governor then went to the Madridejos Municipal Hall for the ceremonial turn-over of galvanized iron sheets and to the Maricaban housing resettlement site in Santa Fe town.

During his visit, Davide entertained questions from residents especially that on the distribution of emergency shelter assistance.

As of October 17, the Department of Social Welfare and Development was yet to distribute P2.34 billion in emergency shelter assistance of the Cebu towns of Bantayan, Borbon, Daanbantayan, Medellin, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, San Remegio, Tabogon, and Tudela.

Only the local government units of Bogo City and the towns of Madridejos, Sta. Fe, Tabuelan, Sogod, and Tuburan in northern Cebu have received the aid during the initial disbursement that totaled P118.51 million.

In particular, Bantayan town supposedly should receive P375.88 million for 9,969 destroyed and 7,681 damaged houses.

Davide said the provincial government is doing its best to follow up with the national government to hasten the implementation of its programs for Yolanda survivors, especially for those still living in tents and have no permanent shelters.

The governor clarified that the ESA is a national government project and that the local government units and the Capitol have no control over its release all they could do is to conduct follow-ups.

He commended the resiliency and hard work of the survivors, as he expressed gratitude to private individuals and non-government organizations who continue to help the affected families in the calamity-hit areas. 

“Apan wala pa mahuman ang tanan. Nagpaabot pa kita (It does not end here. We are still waiting for more). We are all behind the efforts of rehabilitation sa Bantayan island and other Yolanda-stricken areas. Di moundang ang probinsya og tabang kutob sa among mahimo (The provincial government will not stop doing what it can),” he said.

Davide also said he was happy to note that the request to increase the funds for Cebu’s rehabilitation from P12.06 billion to P14.5 billion has been approved. He further encouraged the residents to have faith on their local government units.

Meanwhile, Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Escario belied reports that those who have already reconstructed their houses on their own shall not receive their ESA anymore. He said that he never received any communication from DSWD about such matter.

“Kami naghuwat lang. That is why akong gihangyo ang mga tao nga kon naa lang silay pasensya, maabot ra gyud ang panahon nga madawat ra gyud (We are also waiting.  I request that the people stay patient; the time would come that what is due you would arrive),” he said.

Escario said it is already anticipated that his constituents in the municipality of Bantayan will open up the issue on ESA during the dialogue with the governor and vice governor.

“I have already communicated with them and informed them (to be patient) but kon naa’y higher office na mobisita, expected na man pud na ila na i-voice out gihapon,” he said.

Escario admitted that after a year has passed since Yolanda battered northern Cebu and Eastern Visayas, the need for shelter remains to be one of the urgent concerns of the affected families.

He said Bantayan is gradually recovering, especially with the continued assistance of the non-government organizations in their rebuilding efforts.

Also, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Chief Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. clarified to the residents that all those whose houses were damaged or destroyed by Yolanda are assured to receive ESA based on the list submitted to the national government.

Those who have already reconstructed their houses through their own efforts, he said, could still avail of the ESA if they were included in the list and provided they could submit liquidation on how much they have spent.

DSWD-7 Disaster Focal Person Artemia Degamo earlier said the six LGUs that were already given their ESA funds were the only ones that submitted the needed documents. She said they aim to give out the funds for the 10 remaining LGUs before the year ends. (FREEMAN)