UN helps super typhoon victims anew

PALOMPON, LEYTE, Philippines — Already the biggest contributor in this town's recovery from the devastation brought by typhoon Yolanda, the United Nations Development Program continues to assist the local government unit.

On April 29, UNDP delivered a 5.8 KV Yanmar diesel generator set and five units of solar lanterns to the delight of the local chief executive. 

Mayor Ramon Oñate told this reporter that the machine and the lanterns are really useful to enhance the tourism activities of Palompon. The mayor, towns tourism officer and UNDP personnel immediately rode a motorized banca to the world famous Kalanggaman Island to set the generator and lanterns.

In a simple turn over ceremony held in the island paradise, Oñate disclosed the plight of the island when typhoon Yolanda flattened it, destroying edifices and uprooting the numerous coconut trees and other vegetation - leaving the place with enormous debris and garbage.

"Without UNDP's cash for work program, we could not have hosted the Europa 2 cruise ship last January", he said.

The ship's visit increased the town's revenue by two hundred thousand for one day. "This generator set and lanterns will help reinvigorate the tourism industry of the town", he continued.

UNDP Ormoc Area Coordinator Dario Cubelo appreciated the mayor's gesture of recognition and went on to say that UNDP is committed to help in the recovery efforts of the typhoon affected areas in this part of the country.

UNDP have already assisted Palompon in the roofing of school buildings, cash for work programs and several other interventions ideal for the town's recovery path.

Palompon MENRO Raoul Bacalla and UNDPs Elisa Vistavilla- Finance Officer, island tourism workers, fishermen who were in the island to rest from the scourging sun and tourists are among those who witnessed the activity.  —/JMD (FREEMAN)