P10B rehab plan ok’d for Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Iloilo provincial government, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), has approved the proposed P10 billion rehabilitation plan for the various sectors affected by typhoon Yolanda.

PDRRMC executive director Jerry Bionat said the figure is still subject for increase as some sectors have not yet submitted their reports and proposals.

Bionat said that among the priorities are cash assistance for casualties and fund for livelihood and damaged houses including government facilities.

In social services, the proposed budget of P 797.9 million for the rehabilitation of hospitals and rural health units, purchase of additional medicines and equipment, and other health-related concerns.

On the economic sector, agriculture will have almost P411.4 million rehabilitation fund for the purchase of fishing gears and bancas, as well as provision of farm tools, quality seeds for rice, vegetables, root crops and livestock.

On the infrastructure sector, the rehabilitation plans cover construction and repairs of school facility, amounting to P567.4 million, and repair and clearing operations of roads and brinds, costing P4.8 million.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. admitted the province has only P 50 million available fund for the rehabilitation while funds for other plans are on the wishlist to be taken from the national and regional offices.

Defensor said he and Ilonggo Senate President Franklin Drilon are now scouting for financial help from other government agencies and the private sectors.

The governor said any help they could gather will be allocated for the livelihood program of the affected fishermen in the 5th district of Iloilo where almost 90 percent of the motorized boats of small-scale fishermen were damaged.

“We will focus first to the livelihood of these affected fishermen before their houses because fishing is their main source of income,” he said. (FREEMAN)