Bloated number of destruction mars relief efforts

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Even in misery in the aftermath of Yolanda, some people apparently take advantage of the situation.

This as the provincial government of Negros Occidental was surprised of the "bloated" figures of destroyed or damaged houses in the province that were caused by the typhoon.

Last Tuesday, the Provincial Capitol announced it has earmarked P22 million from its calamity fund as a quick response fund to "totally wrecked" houses, at P3,000 each.

Prior to the announcement, only 917 destroyed or damaged houses were reported by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) last Saturday. The same report said, 3,263 houses were partially damaged.

But a day after the announcement of assistance, the figure swelled to 11,083 as of 3 p.m. yesterday, based on updated reports on affected LGUS gathered by the PSWDO. The same report showed 42,955 houses were partially damaged.

Maria Lina Sanogal, secretary of the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), was worried that the P22 million fund was no longer enough to cover the number of destroyed houses.

The PDRMMC has no choice but to verify the real number of destroyed houses per barangay, she said, adding that it meant it will take more time for the Capitol to release the money.

PSWD officer Liane Garcia, for her part, appealed to barangay captains not to bloat or exaggerate their figures.

She said she received reports that many barangay health workers, who report the damage to PSWDO, are allegedly being threatened by their barangay officials that they will withhold their honoraria if they will not record the additional numbers for destroyed houses.

We are appealing to our barangay officials not to politicize this matter, because we are just doing our job, Garcia said in an interview over ABS-CBN Bacolod. (FREEMAN)