ORMOC CITY , Philippines — A total of 151 families who were typhoon Yolanda victims in the hinterland village of Hugpa of this city were the first recipients of free coco lumbers from the United Nations Development Programme.
The UNDP distribution of 1,024 pieces of coco lumber-768 pieces of 2" x 4" x 12 feet and 256 pieces of 4" x 4" x 12 ft-was intended to address the shelter concerns of residents whose houses were damaged by Yolanda.
The UNDP are now utilizing at least 33 million fallen coconut trees in the Visayas by putting up six sawmills in strategic areas in the region and providing assistance for the program.
Of the total processed lumber, UNDP gets 60 percent that it shares with the Philippine Coconut Authority, while AFFIRE, a cooperative that is handling the processing, gets 40 percent.
The free lumber were sourced out from the UNDP share while AFFIRE is selling its share, based on the prevailing price so as not to hurt the private sector engage in the lumber business.
World Vision, a partner in the shelter cluster, takes charge in the distribution based on an agreement with the shelter group. Any NGO or group that is into housing projects can access the free lumber for distribution, by writing first to the shelter cluster and informing the UNDP, which then issues a purchase order to AFFIRE and World Vision.
Hugpa Barangay Chairperson Victoria Galula, after thanking UNDP, World Vision and AFFIRE, urged the beneficiaries to immediately use the lumber for house construction, and warned them not to sell these to others.
UNDP program manager Eden Garde, who witnessed the distribution of the free lumber, told the beneficiaries to help one another in rebuilding their community. (FREEMAN)