Palace: No red tape in Yolanda rehab

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday denied allegations that red tape has delayed the rehabilitation of areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government is just complying with procedures required by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.

“There is no red tape. The procedures provided under the law are just being followed,” Coloma said.

He said among the requirements set by the law is the crafting of post-disaster needs assessment by affected provinces and cities.

Such assessment would allow local authorities to create work programs and allot funds for the rehabilitation program, Coloma said.

Some lawmakers and local officials complained that red tape is slowing down the rebuilding of typhoon-hit areas.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez said the national government should distribute to local government the cash donations to address the needs of typhoon survivors.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for his part, said the government should reduce red tape, noting the affected residents are suffering while officials are holding debates on rehabilitation efforts.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, meanwhile, criticized the budget department for the supposed delay in the disbursement of funds allotted for the rehabilitation of schools damaged by the typhoon.

Responding to critics, Coloma said even the World Bank, a multilateral lender that provides assistance to the Philippines, had cited the government’s progress in its rehabilitation efforts.

“Perhaps they should reexamine the basis of what they are saying,” he said.

Agencies involved in the rehabilitation efforts are expected to present progress reports to President Aquino within the month.

1,000 new homes

Private donors like the retail giant SM is spearheading efforts to build 1,000 disaster-resilient houses in five areas devastated by Yolanda.

Teresita Sy-Coson, SM Investment Corp. vice chairman, said they have launched the SM Cares Housing Project which aims to raise P200 million to build five villages in typhoon-hit towns of Bogo, Cebu; Concepcion, Iloilo; and the cities of Palo, Tacloban and Ormoc in Leyte.

“Each village will have 200 houses specially designed to be disaster-resilient. The village will have utilities, basic amenities like streetlights, community center and basketball court,” she said.

Sy-Coson said their group recognizes the need for safer structures for people’s homes, which is why every unit is designed to weather events or effects that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled.

Designed to be above the requirements of the Building Code and mandated standards, each house is composed of 5,000 psi pre-cast walls and roofs, which can withstand the winds and strength of a Category 5 super typhoon without any major material damage.

In addition to its disaster resiliency features, the houses will also have heat resistant painted roofing to help lower interior temperature and increase energy efficiency. The windows and doors will be made out of aluminum frame and PVC to provide high level of resistance to corrosion, rot, chipping, fading, insect assault, discoloration, and severe conditions.