Solon defends bunkhouses

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  â€” Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone on Wednesday said the bunkhouses built for Yolanda survivors in Leyte and Samar provinces are not sub-standard or over-priced, as alleged by some quarters.

Evardone, a member of the Liberal Party, in his brief visit to this city, lamented that some sectors have tried to discredit the efforts of the government and private contractors to help provide a decent shelter for the displaced typhoon victims.

"This is saddening because, here we are, saddled with so many problems and here comes the allegations," said Evardone about accusations of overpricing in the construction of the bunkhouses.

"There is no truth to such reports and, in fact, I have personally talked to DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson regarding the construction of these bunkhouses," he said.

The lawmaker from Eastern Visayas also said that some of the contractors hired by government to build these temporary shelters were doing it out of charity and there could be some of them coming from other regions.

"Some of them could even incur financial losses, said Evardone, believing these contractors were not making money or getting kickbacks out of the project. 

"The sad part is that government efforts to rebuild disaster-stricken areas are marred with controversies and, although not true, this would bring some international donors and funding agencies to think twice before acting," said the congressman.

Evardone stressed the need to hasten the building of bunkhouses to accommodate more displaced families. In his province of Eastern Samar alone. He said some units, which have yet to be finished and turned over, are now already being occupied by typhoon survivors.

Many families continue to live in tents which are not viable these days due to continuous rains that result in flooding as well as leaking tent roofs, he said.

Meanwhile, Evardone and eight town mayors of Eastern Samar thanked officials and constituents of Negros Oriental for the P4-million relief aid for Yolanda victims in their province. 

The congressman and the mayors met with Gov. Roel Degamo, Vice Gov. Mark Macias and some Provincial Board members to personally receive the donations from the Negros Oriental LGU.

The Eastern Samar officials got P500,000 each for every recipient-towns of Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Salcedo, Mercedes, Hernani and Balangkayan, all devastated by Yolanda. (FREEMAN)