North Cebu rehab costs P24.7 B

CEBU, Philippines - A total of P24.7 billion is needed for the rehabilitation of the areas in northern Cebu that were ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda.

The amount is reflected in the draft of the reconstruction and recovery plan of the provincial government, which was approved yesterday by the executive committee of the Provincial Development Council (PDC).

The plan covers the budget needed by the different sectors, which include shelter and resettlement, infrastructure, utilities, school and health facilities, and livelihood, among others.

More than P22 million of the proposed budget is needed for shelter and resettlement. This covers the National Housing Authority (NHA) resettlement assistance program, Safer Technical Support, shelter repair kit and housing materials.

However, Capitol Information Officer Ethel Natera reiterated that the estimated budget will not come from the provincial government fund.

“Wala pay napagawas nga kwarta ang Kapitolyo kay limited ra man atong kwarta. If there are certain sectors nga dili matabangan sa uban nga organization, then the provincial government can come in,” she added.

She clarified that Capitol is not dependent on private organizations but is just spending its money “wisely.”

“It doesn’t mean nga we will not spend it at all, nga magsalig ra gyod ta sa uban. Ug unsay kinahanglan gastuhan, gastuhan gyod namo,” she said.

She further added that the provincial government wants to avoid the duplication of aid in a particular area.

A copy of the rehabilitation plan was sent to rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson and the province is hoping to get help from the national government with Lacson’s help.

The reconstruction plan has yet to be presented to the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7. On December 19, the plan will also be taken up by National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 7.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways – Cebu First Engineering Office (DPWH – Cebu First DEO) also presented yesterday an assessment of the damage caused by the typhoon, as well as the agency’s proposed projects and program of works for public infrastructure in the area.

DPWH-Cebu First DEO said that the damage caused by typhoon Yolanda for public infrastructure in northern Cebu towns has reached P676 million.

Engr. Mario Menina, chief of the Construction Division, whose jurisdiction is Cebu’s Fourth District, said yesterday that of the said amount, the estimated cost of damage to 597 school buildings was P536 million. Damage to roads and road signs was pegged at P140  million.

“We expect to start reconstruction of school buildings by next year,” said Menina, during the press briefing conducted by the Philippine Information Agency-7 at the MIP Lounge of the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City.

DPWH-7 regional director Ador Canlas has submitted a report to DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson the details the damage assessment, as well as a corresponding program of works.

According to the report, 143 school buildings will be put up in the town of San Remegio amounting to P69.240 million; 137 school buildings are earmarked for Bogo City worth P63.3 million; 104 projects worth P73.5 million for Daanbantayan; 71 projects worth P36.9 million in Medellin; 33 projects worth P133.250 million in Bantayan; 30 projects worth P68.4 million Madridejos; 26 projects worth P66.1 million for Sta. Fe; 25 projects worth P11.8 million for Tabuelan; and 23 projects worth P11.8 million for Tabogon.

The report also included the program of works for the repair of the Sogod-Tabuelan road, Antonio de Pio Highway in San Remegio and the Cebu North Hagnaya Wharf Road in San Remegio.

P3.5 million was also earmarked for the repair of the Gender and Development building in Poblacion, Medellin and the repair of the DPWH-Cebu First DEO bodega in the same town. – with Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/QSB