Samar needs P7.4 B for Yolanda rehab

CATBALOGAN CITY , Philippines   â€“ The provincial government of Samar needs at least P7.4 billion to fully recover from the devastation brought by Typhoon Yolanda seven months ago.

Arthur Cuenco, provincial planning and development officer, said yesterday the amount includes the provision of enhanced resiliency in the recovery and reconstruction efforts of the province.

Samar incurred total damage of P2.944 billion representing the value of destroyed physical assets, Cuenco said.

He presented the budget proposal request to the Provincial Development Council meeting attended by 14 municipal mayors, department heads and other members of the council.

The request, attached to a detailed assessment report, was forwarded to the national government.

Aside from roads, other damaged infrastructure include daycare centers, barangay halls, covered courts, waiting sheds, power lines and other structures.

The assessment report also recorded P1.425-billion damage in agriculture and fishery, P103 million in trade and industry, P3.11 billion in education and P.032 billion in health and nutrition.

Yolanda left at least 245 people dead and 2,000 injured in Marabut and Basey, two of the hardest-hit municipalities in Samar. The typhoon damaged around 21,000 houses.

“This may need some P3.267-billion budget for reconstruction,” Cuenco said.

Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan said that while they are seeking help from the national government and foreign donors, the provincial government is providing support to its constituents.

“We have provided fishing gear, grill nets and bancas as well as permanent housing units to the fishermen,” she said.