Census up for Yolanda victims in Kinatarcan

CEBU, Philippines - Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Secretary Panfilo Lacson will be sending a coordinator to Kinatarcan Islet in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island to conduct a census in the area after learning that the area has been left behind in terms of relief assistance from the government and private organizations.

Lacson was told during the commemoration of super typhoon Yolanda that many residents in the islet are still living in tents.

“I was informed that there is an islet of Bantayan na merong 4,000 mahigit na inhabitants na parang napabayaan... It is easy to cover 4,000 families. Alamin na natin kung ano ‘yong needs nila doon,” he told reporters.

 “That’s how difficult it is. We are not Almighty to see everything. I’m sure meron pa ring naiiwanan. Inform us. Magtulongan na lang tayo,” Lacson added.

Lacson said they would look for private donors to attend to their needs as his office has been partnering with private organizations since the first month he assumed as the rehab czar.

Santa Fe Mayor Jose Esgana earlier told The FREEMAN that at least 30 to 40 percent of the 30,000 population in the municipality are still living in tents, most are in the islets of Hilantagaan and Kinatarcan, areas that could hardly be reached by donors.

He said that other families have rebuilt their own houses by availing of loans.

Esgana is hoping that the national government would be able to hasten the release of assistance, saying that it saddens him seeing his constituents living in tents a year after the destructive typhoon and some are situated within the 40-meter no dwelling zone. He added that tents are supposedly good for six months.

Further, Lacson said President Benigno Aquino III has given only until June 30, 2016 for the national agencies to complete their programs and projects for Yolanda rehabilitation.

“Malinaw ang utos ni presidente na tapusin bago siya bababa. He won’t accept anything beyond June 30, 2016. And the line agencies have their commitment,” he said.

The rehab czar mentioned the rehabilitation funds allocated next and for 2016. He said the Department of Budget and Management has released P51.9 billion in the current year from the national government’s coffer for the rehabilitation of the 171 affected cities and municipalities in the country, including 16 local government units in Cebu province. A total of P80.3 billion is allocated for next year while P35.8 billion for 2016.

 The funds composed the P167.9-billion rehabilitation masterplan for the areas in the country ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda, which was signed by Aquino on October 28.

 The Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) covers the sectors of resettlement at P75.6 billion, infrastructure at P35.1 billion, livelihood at P33.6 billion, and social services at P26.4 billion. It was submitted by former senator Panfilo Lacson, OPARR head, to the President on August 1 this year.  (FREEMAN)