Probe on temporary shelters in typhoon areas sought

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate has urged the police to investigate and criminally charge persons, including a politician, who have colluded in the construction of temporary shelters in Tacloban City and other areas that Typhoon Yolanda devastated last year.

Following a series of hearings on overpriced bunkhouses and the slow pace of disaster relief operations, the Senate came out with committee report No. 30.

It reads in part: “Should the facts and evidence warrant, the appropriate administrative, criminal and civil charges should be filed against the perpetrators.”

The Senate panel declared that the bunkhouses were not overpriced since they were designed to serve as   temporary shelters for victims of Yolanda.

Senators Ferdinand Marcos Jr., chairman; and Ramon Revilla Jr., vice-chairman, signed the report, along with members  Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Lito Lapid, Cynthia Villar, Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay and JV Ejercito.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile also signed the report as ex-officio members.

The committee sees the need to amend Republic Act 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act, to introduce provisions preventing unscrupulous contractors, government officials and employees from taking advantage of construction projects during disasters. 

The amendments also aim to prevent the compromise of structural integrity of government structures.

The committee called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to streamline the bureaucratic process of identifying family-beneficiaries of comprehensive assistance from government.

It also saw the need for DSWD to review policies in giving priority to the handing out of basic necessities to the most needy and endangered.

Senators also backed the passage of a bill seeking to set up a Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

They also saw the need to review the National Building Code, Republic Act 6541 as amended by Presidential Decree 1096.

Based on the Senate hearings, a total of 222 bunkhouses  have been built in the provinces of Leyte and Eastern Samar as of Feb. 6. Of this number, 198 units have been completed.