DTI Eastern Visayas still awaits fund to rebuild Yolanda-hit building

PALO, Leyte, June 23 (PNA) –- Nearly three years after supertyphoon Yolanda struck, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is still unsure whether they will get funds within 2016 for the rehabilitation of their regional office here.

DTI Undersecretary for regional operations Zenaida Maglaya is hopeful for the disbursement of the PHP35 million for the office building reconstruction this year under the post-Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP).

“We requested for funding under the CRRP. There were requirements and it took time to comply. Just in case it won’t get funding this year, we have already included the budget for the DTI regional office reconstruction in the 2017 General Appropriations,” Maglaya explained.

DTI Regional Director Cynthia Nierras said one of the requirements is the revision of design to make it more resilient to natural calamities.

But despite damaged office, Nierras said their operation has been normalized since early 2014. They currently rent a space at the Leyte Academic Center owned by the provincial government.

“Our operation has been normal since we are in a comfortable working place without images of destructions,” Nierras said.

The DTI regional office heavily damaged by the 2013 catastrophe is situated at the Government Center of this town, 12 kilometers away from Tacloban City. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO