JICA vows to continue rebuilding Yolanda areas

MANILA, Philippines - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) vowed to continue participation in rebuilding areas devastated last year by Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

JICA is going full force to Eastern Visayas this week to monitor ongoing projects and help fast-track implementation of the government’s ambitious Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP).

Among the activities is the turnover of hazard maps to 18 local government units (LGUs) that were affected by the super typhoon that ravaged the region on Nov. 8, 2013.

JICA, along with other international non-government organizations (NGOs), linked up with private and public groups for various rehabilitation and recovery efforts to improve the lives of millions of typhoon survivors.

The hazard maps to be turned over by JICA to the 18 LGUs are the result of JICA field surveys and scientific analyses based on storm surge, wind strength and flood data.

The maps will be used by JICA to help LGUs in reviewing their comprehensive land use plans.

“Japan and the Philippines could learn from each other when it comes to disaster management. We feel it is our shared responsibility to also assist in the swift recovery of affected communities by sharing Japan’s expertise and experiences in disaster risk reduction,” Noriaki Niwa, JICA Philippines country representative, said.

The seminar on comprehensive planning will also gather officials from the embassy of Japan, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR), Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the LGUs of Guiuan, Eastern Samar; Basey, Samar; and Tacloban City, Palo and Tanauan in Leyte province.

JICA is currently implementing a three-pronged development assistance to the Yolanda recovery effort composed of rehabilitation and reconstruction planning based on hazard analysis; granting $46 million in aid for reconstruction of key infrastructure; and the rollout and completion of 15 quick impact projects (QIPs) to help in the recovery of individuals and their livelihood.

The first of the 15 QIPs that started implementation last month was the provision of 50 fish pens, 25 oyster racks and marine bio-toxin equipment to support the local aquaculture industry in Leyte.

JICA is an agency of the Japanese government tasked to implement technical cooperation, grant aid and yen loan programs of Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries such as the Philippines.

The agency is said to be the world’s biggest bilateral aid agency with about $10.3 billion in financial resources and a network of more than 100 overseas offices around the world.

Meanwhile, an environment expert recommended to the government to make possible the assignment of “resilience officers” in the different municipalities and cities in the country that could understand the environment better and can work on building safer communities.

Shana Udvardy of Udvardy Consulting that specializes on climate adaptation and flood risk management policy said there is a need to develop and promote resilient cities through the appointment of these resilience officers.

Udvardy, who is in the country for a brief visit, said these officers can focus on resilience jobs – something that may entail coming up with ideas of building safer and smarter communities. – With Rhodina Villanueva