Typhoon-affected towns: DILG distributes first batch of aid in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Six months after super typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the northern parts of Cebu, the Department of Interior and Local Government distributed yesterday the first tranche of its recovery assistance to affected local government units in the province.

Of the 16 Yolanda-hit LGUs, 13 received checks totaling to P67.2 million from the DILG in yesterday’s turnover at the Capitol Social Hall.

The towns which did not receive the assistance during the distribution were Tudela, Poro and San Francisco in Camotes Island.

DILG Undersecretary Francisco Fernandez explained that the 13 LGUs incurred only partial damages to facilities. The town of Tudela which Civic Center incurred severe damages would already be taken care of by the Department of Public Works and Highways, a component of the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) project.

As for the towns of Poro and San Francisco in Camotes Island, they did not submit a damage report, he said.

The DILG set aside a total of P82.7 million, through its RAY project, to fund the reconstruction and repair of municipal halls, civic centers and public markets in the affected LGUs.

The first tranche which amounted to more than P67, 231, 000 in total was given out yesterday. The second tranche, which covers the remaining amount, would be released once the concerned LGUs submit a Report of  Disbursement  or  liquidation to the Commission on Audit.

Based on COA’s report, at least 50 percent of the first tranche has been disbursed, including the LGU counterpart fund.

Apart from this, Fernandez said the LGUs should also present reports that show at least 80 percent physical accomplishment and progress photos of construction, signed by the sub-project manager and the mayor.

The funding of the DILG was based from the Program  of Works submitted by the affected LGUs. The biggest amount of  P26.8 million was already earmarked to the municipality of Bantayan, one of the areas hardest hit by the typhoon. Bantayan yesterday received P21.4 million in check for the first tranche.

Daanbantayan was also one of the recipients.

“This is a good start. Actually ongoing na ang among construction. But timely gyod pod ni,” said Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro.

But while majority of the recipients were happy by the development, Medellin town Mayor Ricardo Ramirez felt otherwise. He lambasted the agency for its “slow” response.

He said that the repair of  the damaged structures in the municipality is almost a hundred percent complete, adding that the municipality would just use the recovery assistance for refurbishing.

“As far as damage is concerned, it has been fixed already.  With this amount, you cannot use this to refund what we have spent. Other municipalities said that they did not pay their suppliers waiting for this check. Ako I had to pay my suppliers because I really did not know when the checks could arrive…but better late than never,” he said.

Ramirez said it has been six months since the typhoon and in order for them to continue with their operation they initiated the repair and restoration.

He said they needed to fix their damaged public market right away as it is their “lifeblood”

Medellin’s municipal hall has also been repaired since they cannot just work under the heat of the sun or get wet when it rains, stressed Ramirez.

Medellin’s public buildings were also among those badly damaged by Yolanda. The town received P5 million.

Further, he urges the national agencies to fast track the disaster response the next time.

“Naa gud na sa balaod nang emergency purposes during calamities. Nganong di man na maka-emergency lihok ang mga national agencies. Mag-calamity mode unta pod sila,” he added. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga, Liv G. Campo/ATO (FREEMAN)