VP: Construction of homes for Yolanda victims ‘very slow’

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed dismay over the “very slow” construction of houses for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Robredo visited Hernani, Eastern Samar, one of the areas hardest hit by Yolanda, yesterday.

“Sobrang bagal at hindi lang ito sa Hernani, sa buong Yolanda-stricken areas (It’s very slow and it is not only in Hernani but in all Yolanda-stricken areas),” she told reporters.

Robredo chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

“Three years after Yolanda, more than 200 housing projects here...are yet to be turned over. It’s really dismaying,” she said.

“The problem is very common in most of the areas. It’s really bureaucratic red tape,” she added.

Robredo said she would meet with representatives of the National Housing Authority, one of the agencies under the HUDCC, and the Commission on Audit to discuss how they can ease the requirements for the construction of housing units for typhoon victims.

“What I suggest is, maybe we can start with the construction while we are waiting for the titles,” she said, noting that the issuance of titles takes two to three years.

Robredo said she would also look into the accountability of people tasked to implement the housing projects.